‘In the Bedroom’ simple yet beautiful

Harold John Behling

If you plan on seeing this movie I recommend you go with no previous knowledge of it. But if you have little faith in Hollywood (which I can understand) I recommend you go knowing no more than what it says on the poster: A Young Man. An Older Woman. Her ex-husband. Things are about to explode.

“In the Bedroom,” written and directed by Todd Field and starring Tom Wilkinson, Sissy Spacek and Marisa Tomei, is a thoroughly entertaining and deeply disturbing movie. This movie’s synopsis is best left to the simple lines on the poster because learning the story from the characters is part of the joy of watching it.

“In the Bedroom” adopts a slow pace, giving time for the characters to fully develop, and substituting complexity and plot twists for frightening realism and depth. “In the Bedroom” feels like you are peering into the lives of real people, watching them struggle with loss and communication in both the constraints of a marriage and those of the outside world.

This movie is visually beautiful. It takes place in a quaint seaside town that serves as a comforting backdrop for the events of this film. One thing that is striking about the cinematography is the use of glass and/or mirrors in nearly every shot. This adds to the complexity and visual beauty, while at the same time making it seem less artificial. Field seems to dare the audience to find the reflection of a camera or crew in a mirror or on a glass panel window, convincing the audience that what they see is real.

The music of this movie is next to nonexistent which forces you to pay attention to the details in each scene and the gestures of the actors.

Seemingly slow, traditional and simple, “In the Bedroom” hides a deeply disturbing subject matter and packs enough emotional energy to make you feel vulnerable. It leaves you questioning yourself, your life and life itself.

Simply put. “In the Bedroom” is a very well made film. It’s also one of those rare films that exceeds being pure entertainment. It’s also a stimuli for reflection, a topic for conversation and subject for late-night thought.

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John Behling can be reached at: [email protected]

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