On a dangerous curve, late at night, the unthinkable happens. A boy, releasing a jar full of lightening bugs, becomes the victim of a fatal hit and run. At the point of impact, the lives of both Ethan (Joaquin Phoenix) and Dwight (Mark Ruffalo), two fathers on opposite sides of the incident, are sent into shambles. While each reacts differently to what has happened, both struggle to understand and cope with the emotional turn of events as they each are forced to accept the truth.
Bringing together an all-star cast that maturely handles the intense events and emotions on screen, Reservation Road scores high and provides an emotional look on the effects a tragic event can have on all involved.
With a cast that includes Academy Award recognized Jennifer Connelly, Mina Suvari and Joaquin Phoenix, as well as rising star Mark Ruffalo, intense situations and emotions are brought to life with perfection. Jennifer Connelly steals the show in every scene that she is in and allows the audience to connect with a grieving mother who can't understand the reasons for her loss. Throw in Joaquin Phoenix, who at times underperforms, as a father who can't grasp the reality of the situation, and the toll that a child's death can have on a family is presented flawlessly. But the film takes you far beyond that as you get to witness the effects that the accident has on those responsible. Mark Ruffalo plays a man who, in an attempt to keep visiting rights with his son, hides the fact that he was the driver in the accident. With guilt and resentment at an all time high, Ruffalo rises to the occasion, bringing every ounce of emotion and fear to the screen to bring to life a man suffering from an unhealthy amount of guilt and resentment.
However, the film is much deeper than its acting. Not only was the script amazing, allowing for a character driven story to develop, but the music was perfect. Reaching climatic moments by the minute, the musical scores assisted in creating a tone and attitude that kept you on the edge of your seat in high anticipation of what is to come. The mixture was perfect and the reliance put on each aspect of the film was faultless and ingénues as the film became a well balanced work of art.
Entertaining and intense, Reservation Road is one of the most moving pictures of the year so far.
