In the Bedroom (2001)
Directed by Todd Field

In the Bedroom is correctly hyped as an actor's movie. The performances all around are utterly stellar, with specific props for Sissy Spacek (she's cleaned the menstrual blood from her legs since Carrie), Tom Wilkinson (thankfully wearing pants), and Marisa Tomei (no longer dating boys with baboon hearts, but still unlucky in love). Hm, I seem to have done more work making fun of each of those actors than praising their performances just now. Oh well, onward.

The plot deals with people grieving, exploring how that plays out interpersonally and what it brings out in each person that was not observable before. The pace is slow but the structure is exceedingly intelligent; nothing is telegraphed, subtlety pervades. It's a relief. You look at all these pie-fucking movies and you think no one aims for Lumet anymore. I mean, hell, I love to watch teenagers fuck a pie, but even so, sometimes I like to have my intellect stimulated too.

Marisa Tomei has truly never been as radiant or as vulnerable as she is in this movie. It's time for the world to fall in love with her again. The best thing about the film is that every time you think you know what kind of cliché is about to happen, it doesn't. In the Bedroom does not shy away from ambiguity, it lets you think for yourself. Unlike my fucking BOSS.

Review by Sarah Peppermint