Room for Rent

I like indie films, this is just a human piece... no action, gore, heavy drama, e.t.c. Just human nature. Linn shaye is always a winner for me, even in her lesser films, she's phenomenal. The human psyche is fascinating and watching her mentality be explained slowly was enjoyable.

Lin Shaye has long been one of the hardest working and most underappreciated character actresses out there. Even if you don't know her name, you'd recognize her face and Room For Rent appears to be the first time she's been tasked with headlining a film all by herself and she proves to be more than up for the challenge.

After her husband's death, a painfully awkward widow (Shaye) is left penniless and decides to open up her spare room for guests. A handsome younger man takes her up on the offer and, in no time at all, she's snooping through his things, using his toothbrush and deodorant (in a comically creepy scene), and dressing up in a provocative manner to entice him. She's not going to let this one go and she'll fix anyone who gets in the way.

Room For Rent is low on style and scares, but there's a true human element to the story that many films of this type miss out on. The concept and material wouldn't feel out of place as an afternoon movie on the Lifetime network (and the production values are about the same), but Shaye's performance and a few disturbing touches keep it just barely out of those swampy waters.

Unfortunately, a lot of the other actors aren't up to Shaye's level and the film does suffer because of this. Some of the dialogue doesn't always help as in one scene where a group of young punks terrorize her on her way back home. No one in this scene resembles a real human being (even Shaye suffers during this bit) and one wonders why it's even in the film since these kids are only in two scenes and never heard from again. One wishes Shaye would have taken a kitchen knife to them at least.

I really enjoyed this strange, sad, and laughable film. It has a lot of the truisms of life embedded in it. It's a step up from a Lifetime film with an odd lesson from a female perspective.

It's no surprise that Lin Shaye is a great actress. She nails every role she gets to play. However, I really enjoyed this movie, a very beautifully shot movie with a good story. I think I haven't seen a movie like this before, so this was kind of unique for me.

"Room For Rent" entices a thriller akin to "Single White Female" or "Hush". A dark and cold killer masking as a loving, comforting matriarchal figure. And to some extent it is. Only the thriller angle is soft spoken and not at all dark. The concept is, but the execution is not. There is no tension or suspense in Joyce's transition from caring to psychotic impulse. To Lin Shaye's credit though, her character portrayal is compelling.

The story is well written and the cast give great performances as these somewhat tragic characters. As a dramatic character study, "Room For Rent" is a perfect 'Lifetime' after dark TV movie. As a full on psychological thriller, the film fails to take off. The pace is too slow and mundane to ever rise above the melodrama. That being said, when Joyce does snap it is quick, and cruel and delicious. The problem is there is no real build to those moments and when it's over the tone goes straight back to sheer melodrama.

The horror elements are minimal in "Room For Rent". Very little violence happens aside from the typical pedestrian concepts. A pillow, a frying pan, and not much else. I think most of the nightmare takes place in Joyce's head, unfortunately it never gets fleshed out. When those moments do happen they are great glimpses into the psychological thriller this should be. Lin Shaye is great at bringing a little needed darkness and cruelty to the scene.

"Room For Rent" will be please Lin Shaye fans, she gives her character as much as she can. As always, her acting is queen. As for horror fans looking for a wicked psychological thrill ride, this one will disappoint. It will have an audience, the writing and acting is quality. All the makings for a good movie are here, its just they came together as a dark drama and not a real horror movie. Check it out if you really enjoy Shaye, but leave it if you want some psycho madness murder mayhem.