Often at the height of awards season fervor, actors take prominence because the industry decides "it’s their time." That certainly seems to be the case for "Room" star Brie Larson, who portrays the heroine of Lenny Abrahamson’s riveting take on the Emma Donoghue novel with a layered approach that complicates her every scene.
While much praise has been heaped on nine-year-old Jacob Tremblay as the Larson character’s son, who’s raised in captivity after she gives birth to him during her years of imprisonment, Larson herself pulls off a trickier balance: She copes with a scary world and struggles to survive while communicating the nature of her situation in terms that her child can understand. It’s a fascinatingly textured accomplishment, but one that should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Larson’s work in recent years.
But it’s something of a misnomer to declare "it’s her time" for Larson, even though she deserves her current frontrunner status in the Oscar race for best actress, because Larson’s time started a while ago. The 26-year-old has surfaced in everything from "The Gambler" to "Trainwreck," but gave her first great performance in 2013’s "Short Term 12" as the passionate staffer of a treatment facility for troubled youth. The understated film was a perfect showcase of Larson’s nuanced screen presence, which finds her shifting through a variety of moods while internalizing much of her emotional baggage. While nothing like "Room" in terms of plot, both movies find the actress conveying the challenges of being trapped between a harsh reality and idealistic aspirations. She’s the ideal vessel for conveying the triumph of the human spirit without an iota of cheesy sentimentalism.
Everything about these roles feels real. Warmly maternal at one moment and fuming with near-psychotic rage the next, she imbues the "Room" character mainly known as "Ma" with a range of powerful expressions. Told from her son's perspective, the movie finds her constantly battling her internal strife. Without her, the movie’s conceit simply wouldn’t hold together. She makes the experience into a gripping proposition; in doing so, she also makes a pretty good case for the movies she’ll continue to make in a career that’s just getting off the ground. It's might be her time, but it's not the last time we'll be singing her praises.
In the videos below, Larson talks about her process for choosing roles, playing her character in "Room" and why she was drawn to making movies in the first place.
"Room" is available February 23 with Time Warner Cable Movies On Demand.
Photo credit: Daniel Bergeron
Kate Tue Feb 09 16:56:55 EST 2016
Usually one is considered ''overdue'' if one is a previous nominee and is waiting to win like Julianne Moore last year! Larson, like Vikander are this seasons 'breakthroughs'! Mara, Ronan..they're both ''overdue''!
Michelle Tue Feb 09 11:37:53 EST 2016
I think overdue is the wrong word, but as a longtime Brie Larson fan, I don't think the recognition and accolades are unwarranted. There's a long list of actors who deserve substantial recognition and are often overshadowed by another performer in a category they receive a nomination for. As mentioned below, Amy Adams is one of those. Always a nominee, never a winner. I don't think it's right to cheapen Brie's performance because she's breaking through with Room and maybe a seasoned, critic's favorite might seem more suitable. Her performance was stellar, and you can't take that away from her.
I also agree with Nives that Jacob Tremblay was the true lead of Room and deserved at the least, an Academy Award nomination in the Supporting category.
I also agree with Nives that Jacob Tremblay was the true lead of Room and deserved at the least, an Academy Award nomination in the Supporting category." class="comment-share">
Jules Sat Feb 06 09:30:31 EST 2016
Overdue???...are you kidding me?!. Larsen is an overrated actress in an overrated film. Sooo many other actresses who are due and blow Larsen away in terms of talent. Give me a break, Mr. Kohn.
Levi Fri Feb 05 19:54:30 EST 2016
LOL, "overdue"? I don't think you know what that word means. Albert Finney is overdue. Amy Adams is overdue. No one knows who Brie Larson is. And Ronan or Rampling (speaking of what "overdue" really means) are the ones who clearly should be winning this.
Nives Fri Feb 05 12:55:50 EST 2016
Larson hasn't even the better performance in Room. Tremblay overshadowd her and is the real lead
Gadxooks Fri Feb 05 08:02:32 EST 2016
I disagree with the other posters. She is outstanding in Room and has earned the right to be considered for an Oscar. Ronan deserves it too, but her role is more conventional story telling than the complex, sensitive character the Larson portrayed.
The real issue here is when someone starts getting both critical and popular acclaim...the fleas come out of the carpet and start biting at the heels." class="comment-share">The real issue here is when someone starts getting both critical and popular acclaim...the fleas come out of the carpet and start biting at the heels.
Taz Fri Feb 05 07:57:58 EST 2016
Ronan for the win! She's one who's definitely overdue!
Frank Thu Feb 04 14:57:59 EST 2016
Ronan deserves the awards. She's the leading of her movie while Larson is overshadowed by Tremblay
Paul Thu Feb 04 14:52:59 EST 2016
Tremblay is better than her in the movie
Martha Thu Feb 04 14:50:56 EST 2016
Overdue? No, she isn't. Annette Bening, Glenn Close are overdue