2001, 2 hrs 10 min., Rated R for some violence and language.�Dir: Todd Field. Cast: Tom Wilkinson (Dr. Matt Fowler), Sissy Spacek (Ruth Fowler), Nick Stahl (Frank Fowler), Marisa Tomei (Natalie Strout), William Mapother (Richard Strout), Karen Allen, Terry A. Burgess (District Attorney), Jonathan Walsh (Father McCasslin), Camden Munson (Jason Strout).

I was really in the mood for an entertaining and mindless flick, but there weren't any really good choices that I haven't already seen - so I do what I'd almost been avoiding, seeing a serious film, notably Oscar fare. Especially since In the Bedroom has been nominated in so many major categories, including Best Picture, and rightfully so. I needed to see this film.

Besides, this film is really a big secret. Not only is the film vague and mysterious, none of the critics would even dare to divulge details. Now I know why.

I found In the Bedroom to be entirely fascinating, and certainly worthy to be nominated for Best Picture. It's not an easy film to watch, I admit, yet I couldn't look away. Maybe most important to me for a movie that looks to be my artistic choice of 2001, I didn't feel manipulated.

The story takes place in the small town of Camden, on Maine's Atlantic coast. It's typical small town Americana in New England; there are paintings by Winslow Homer on the walls, and the townsfolk gather constantly at neighborhood cookouts, youth baseball games, and school functions. I won't divulge any plot, as I agree that you shouldn't know much beforehand. Sometimes it doesn't even seem to be about anything in particular, but it really making you think about your own relationships.

A good thing about traveling extensively: a broader worldview. One gets the feel of a region and its people. Having been to New England last summer, I felt more in touch with the movie, felt a part of it, and I promise not just because the characters constantly listened to Red Sox games against the Braves on the radio!

Seriously, though, I did feel like I was there among the characters, that I was involved in the story.

As for the performances, they really are amazing. I thought Sissy Spacek was fine, but not really enough to be worth a win for Best Actress. Marisa Tomei, also. I adore her and could stare at those big brown saucers for eyes all day, but after the first 1/3 she had nothing to do. Where I would award In the Bedroom among the major categories (as well as Best Adapted Screenplay) is Best Actor for Tom Wilkinson. Brilliant performance. I felt completely sympathetic and a connection with him.

The quietness of the film grabbed me, the feeling of taking the movie one scene at a time. There's a score that you hardly know is there and rarely is, and doesn't even show action when it occurs, preferring to show it off screen and let us see reactions around it. This is just as well, since the words aren't as important as movements of actors, especially their eyes, which tell the entire story alone. Great direction and camera work let us in on these tiny yet immensely important details. I don't know whom director Todd Field is, but you can bet I'll pay attention the next time I see his name.

In the Bedroom seems to operate in the shadows, relying on one-on-one discussions where people are real, not the communal outer appearances and actions among groups that I referred to above. These little scenes make a difference, each with a meaning, each its own temperament, leaving the viewer in anticipation. It's an exquisite work of art.

The verdict:

HOME   |   Back to Jeff's Movie Reviews