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This Irish film inspired by the Josef Fritzl case is getting rave reviews

It was written by Irish author Emma Donoghue.

A24 / YouTube

IRISH AUTHOR EMMA Donoghue’s book Room was an almost instant hit when it was released in 2010.

Many saw echoes of the Joseph Fritzl case – where an Austrian man kept his daughter imprisoned in a basement for 24 years – in the novel. Room tells the story of a young mum and her five-year-old son Jack, with their tale of hell and rescue being narrated by the plucky and curious young boy.

The book was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and sold millions of copies. In 2013, news broke that director Lenny Abrahmanson (What Richard Did, Frank), was to direct a film adaptation of Room, with the script penned by Donoghue.

Britain Orange Prize Emma Donoghue Associated Press Associated Press

At the time, Abrahamson described the book as:

Deeply original, harrowing, full of moments of almost unbearable tension, but also – and this is what is so special about it – profoundly life-affirming.

American actress Brie Larson was cast as the mum (‘Ma’), and Jacob Tremblay as long-haired Jack.

11200274_ori RottenTomatoes RottenTomatoes

It had its premiere at film festival Telluride in Colorado earlier this week, and the great reviews were soon pouring in:

Variety:

a suspenseful and heartrending drama that finds perhaps the most extreme possible metaphor for how time, regret and the end of childhood can make unknowing captives of us all.

Collider:

Featuring astonishing performances from Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, Room also has the most tense elongated sequence that I’ve seen in a theater since Josh Brolin’s river escape in No Country for Old MenRoom made me grip my seat, cover my mouth, hold my breath, and I damn near shouted at the screen. The tension is expert. And the drama that follows is truthful.

The Hollywood Reporter:

Strong performances by Larson and young Jacob Tremblay as a mother and son held captive for years, as well as the book’s reputation, will provide a certain art house draw, more among female viewers than with men. But the claustrophobic and upsetting nature of the material will be a disincentive to many.

In The Guardian, audience-goers at Telluride spoke about their reaction to the screening. One child psychologist said it was a “compelling” film, while another singled out the “heartwarming” mother and child relationship.

Viva

Room wasn’t the only Irish film that premiered at Telluride: Viva, directed by Paddy Breathnach – about a Cuban teen who becomes a drag queen – was also received well.

The Guardian praised the film’s strong performances and depiction of Havana, while IndieWire said that Breathnach made a “tender debut that may seem familiar, but still does the trick”.

Room is released in October – so there’s still time to read the fantastic book it’s based on.

Read: There’s a big-screen version of chilling Irish novel inspired by crimes of Josef Fritzl>

Read: Lenny Abrahamson to direct film adaptation of bestselling novel Room>

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22 Comments
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    Mute Therése Martin Farrell
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    Sep 13th 2015, 11:33 AM

    Could not put the book down, can’t wait for the movie, well done Emma

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    Mute Jonathan Darcy
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    Sep 13th 2015, 11:29 AM

    I actually still quiver when I hear that name joseph Fritzl

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    Mute Peter Gavin
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    Sep 13th 2015, 11:28 AM

    Great reviews. Well done to all involved

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:12 PM

    A great read :-) hope the movie does the book justice

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    Mute Anthony John Cotter
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:50 PM

    Beautifully written book, delighted for her, can’t wait to see it.

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Sep 13th 2015, 1:14 PM

    Abrahamson has been the best Irish film maker for the last 15 years.

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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Sep 13th 2015, 3:50 PM

    Yes but Frank was utter muck

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    Mute BevinArmageddon
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    Sep 13th 2015, 1:30 PM

    Does the official teaser trailer not sort of give away the ending?

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    Mute Philip Cooper
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    Sep 13th 2015, 11:50 AM

    I can’t see where I’ll fit this in. I have a lot on at the moment.

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    Mute Pearse McMullen
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:01 PM

    I`m sure if you asked someone nicely, they would fit it in for you.

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    Mute Bigus Diccus
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:08 PM

    Renovating the basement, Phil?

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    Mute Lolo
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:22 PM

    LOL!

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    Mute Greg McGarry
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    Sep 13th 2015, 1:41 PM

    Would sir like a nice Chianti with your side order of fava beans?

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    Mute Palidine Dragonrider
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:08 PM

    A great read,kept you turning the pages, pity they changed the gender of the child. Apart from that, I for one will be going to watch the film.

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    Mute Denis Moynihan
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    Sep 13th 2015, 12:20 PM

    From what I remember, Jack was a boy in the book too.

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    Mute Sunshine on a rainy
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    Sep 13th 2015, 1:23 PM

    The gender can be fluid. Apparently.

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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Sep 13th 2015, 7:15 PM

    Jack was boy in the book

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    Mute Shay Bourke
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    Sep 13th 2015, 4:53 PM

    Got the book as a present. Was not sure about it but once I started reading it was surprisingly very good. Hopefully the film does well.

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    Mute Babadook
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    Sep 13th 2015, 1:24 PM

    Philip I’d say your a real people magnet.

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    Mute Jacob Pahmer
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    Sep 13th 2015, 3:04 PM

    Telluride: Viva is based on Panti Bliss’s(sssss) life by all accounts.
    Important selling point.

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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Sep 13th 2015, 7:14 PM

    I thought that book was published before the Fritzel case

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    Mute Tadgh Smith
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 12:50 AM

    I’d class that as a genuine horror film.

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