The Oak Room

For those who enjoy storytelling, please ignore the low ratings. It is not confusing and everything makes sense. It also isnt boring at all.

I always find films based on plays interesting to watch. Theoretically, having a story that is very contained in its settings should hamper a film. However I often find that because the film has to rely on terrific dialogue they can often be some of the best films going around. I wouldn't say 'The Oak Room' is one of the best films going around mind you, but it certainly had some good stuff going for it.

The film is both simple and complicated at the same time. On the surface it can come across very simply, but under the water everything is paddling mighty fast. This becomes very apparent at the end. The film is going to leave some very confused. I had to go and read an explanation about the film. Luckily I found a very well written one which explained everything in heavy detail. So I know that the film does make sense, but how many people are going to pick up all those things on a first watch? Probably not enough.

I love a film that respects its audience though and 'The Oak Room' clearly does. 7/10.

A very clever and carefully-crafted film.

Great atmosphere and, despite being mostly one to one story-telling, it keeps your interest until the end.

Terrific acting from a very small cast, especially RJ Mitte and Ari Millen.

The soundtrack is very good and compliments the mood of the film well.

The script is great, although the main characters sometimes get too repetitive, as though the writers didn't fully trust the audience to get the point.

At one point, it was a story within a story and started to have an Inception feel.

Worth watching if you like your brain to be engaged during a movie.

Phenomenal cinematography, acting, dialogue and plot. It does fall off at points which is why I can't give it a higher rate, however it still delivers. Very original and unique. This isn't action packed or fast paced AT ALL, so if you're easily bored you'll have a hard time getting through this one.

The ending makes sense, won't going to spoil it for anyone, but if you were paying attention you know what happened. A solid 7/10 from me.

I like atmospheric movies. Especially ones in snowy settings. That said, there really is no narrative. There are 2 men in ever scene, having a conversation. Many of the conversations don't further any through line. Or if they do, you need to conjure them up yourself. This is the "Pine Barrens" episode of"The Sopranos". It was an entertaining episode, it stuck with you afterward, but it was also frustrating, Is it worthwhile? I'd say 70-80% of casual movie watchers will regret watching it. 5% will love it--reading more into it than there actually is. The remaining 15-25% will be somewhat disappointed, yet entertained.