In the Bedroom

In the Bedroom

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DVD Reviews of In the Bedroom

DVD Review: Rings With Honesty and Emotion
Summary: 5 Stars

For Ruth and Matt Fowler (Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson) life is good; they have a comfortable home in a small town in Maine, where she teaches and he has a successful medical practice. Frank (Nick Stahl), their only child, is working part time as a lobster fisherman, while preparing for college in the fall. But first, there's a long, hot summer to embrace, and Frank has become involved with an "older" woman, Natalie (Marisa Tomei), the mother of two young boys. And though they are separated, Natalie is not yet divorced from her estranged husband, Richard (William Mapother), which makes for a rather tentative state of affairs-- especially in light of the fact that Richard wants Natalie and his boys back.

For Ruth, her son's involvement with a married woman has become something of a bone of contention, and rightly so; there's a reason that Natalie is no longer with her husband. Add to that the fact that Ruth is afraid that Frank's infatuation with Natalie may derail his plans for college, and her concerns seem entirely valid. Matt, however, though concerned about the situation as well, feels Ruth is being overly cautious on Frank's behalf. His attitude quickly changes, though, when subsequent events transpire that not only vindicate Ruth's worst fears, but take them all past a point of no return. And for the Fowlers, life will never again be the same.

Todd Field co-wrote this Oscar nominated screenplay with Robert Festinger (adapted from the story by Andre Dubus), and he goes on to deliver a pensive film that is visually poetic and altogether involving. In the opening frames, Field establishes an idyllic setting against which he proceeds to unleash a story through which, emotionally, he achieves Everest. Setting a deliberate pace, he subtly explores each phase through which all of those involved must pass following the tragedy, with special focus on Ruth and Matt And it's a study that goes well beyond the typical rendering of a "seeking justice in an unjust world" drama. In this one, nothing is in black and white; instead, it is gray areas that prevail. Field sifts through the emotional wreckage of the those involved, contemplating the effects of the event and the psychological implications manifested in each individual's response to it. He demonstrates a keen insight into human nature, acutely capturing the confusion and that sense of disorientation, that feeling of "What do I do next?" desperation suffered by Ruth and Matt, and how it affects their relationship with one another. Again, Field finds pronounced shades of gray in the very different ways in which the couple copes with and attempts to resolve their own inner conflict and rage, and the lack of communion it engenders between the them. From the very beginning, he taps into and then maintains that kind of disconcerting tension one feels in the face of uncertainty; that fury born of the inability to resolve that which absolutely must be resolved before one can move on. It's a matter of attaining closure, and Field clearly indicates how elusive that can be, and the depths to which one must descend in order to find it.

As Ruth, Sissy Spacek gives a memorable performance for which she was deservedly nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. As embodied by Spacek, Ruth is a quietly confident and obviously domineering presence; a mother who, without question, wants only the best for her son. As the drama unfolds, Spacek delivers a portrayal steeped in ever-deepening introspection, wherein the anger for which she so desperately needs an outlet is contained and controlled. And you can feel that inner turmoil coming off of her in waves, even as she attempts to mask it by affecting an aloof manner. It's a convincing performance, extremely honest and real; one to which many in the audience are going to be able to connect and identify.

Tom Wilkinson was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor-- and deservedly so, as this is arguably the best performance of his career-- for his portrayal of Matt. There is such a ring of truth in the way he conveys a "non-acceptant" acceptance as he seeks the resolution he so desperately needs, for himself as well as Ruth. It's a moving performance, and like Spacek's, one to which many are going to be able to relate.

Also turning in an exceptional performance (also nominated for an Oscar) is Marisa Tomei. Even with less screen time, she effectively holds her own with Spacek and Wilkinson. Personal experience and frame of reference are going to have a lot to do with how "In the Bedroom" is received; but on one level or another, it is going to provide a riveting emotional experience for anyone who sees it.

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