Having just scored a slot at the Toronto International Film Festival, anticipated drama Room has brought its first trailer online, boasting the promise of another great performance from Brie Larson.
Room is based on the 2010 novel by Emma Donoghue, which is itself based loosely on the real life case of Elisabeth Fritzl. Fritzl was imprisoned in a secret basement space by her appalling father Josef for 24 years, bearing him several children which he explained as foundlings. She was discovered in 2008, and her father was jailed for life in 2009.
In Donoghue's Booker-shortlisted version, this becomes the story of Ma, seven years a prisoner with a son called Jack, who is also the novel's narrator. Their captor remains offstage, given little attention, since the focus is Jack's world view, having never known anything but the small space in which he lives. The writer herself adapted the script, and the film was directed by** Frank**’s Lenny Abrahamson.
Larson and her son (played by Jacob Tremblay) are definitely the focus here, and while the trailer – spoiler alert – gives away the fact that, as in the real-life situation they are eventually freed, that’s far from the end of the story, as Ma and Jack must deal with the tough reality beyond their walls and skylight.
Room will arrive in the US in limited release on October 16, before going wider on November 6. There are no details on a UK date yet, but given that Film4 was involved in getting it made, we’d hope to hear something soon.