THE SON'S ROOM A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): ***
Any death is a tragedy, especially to the family of the deceased, but none is more so than that of a young person who dies before his life ever has a chance to really begin. In THE SON'S ROOM (LA STANZA DEL FIGLIO), written, directed and starring Nanni Moretti (APRILE), Nanni plays Giovanni, a father whose family is rocked by the cataclysmic event of the death of an older teenage son named Andrea (Giuseppe Sanfelice). As the obituaries would put it, Andrea is survived by his father as well as his mother, Paola (Laura Morante), and his sister, Irene (Jasmine Trinca). They survived, but it isn't clear how successful they are at it.
The death occurs early on, but the story starts by introducing us to a remarkably serene family. The most tranquil member is the father, a therapist who is accustomed to listening all day long to other people's problems without them affecting him. Two scenes best illustrate the depth of the family's love. In the first, the four of them sing a pop song together as they tool down the highway on a leisurely drive. In second, the father and son jog together smiling with a bond between them that is palpable.
Once the tragedy occurs and Andrea dies, it looks like the family may fall apart. The initial emotional response is divided along traditional sexual lines, with the females releasing their emotions through tears and the lone surviving male bottling up his feelings. The father, however, is clearly affected. We witness him wandering aimlessly through an amusement park filled with kids Andrea's age. As he stares at them, his vacant eyes ask, "Why is my son dead, while you are all alive and having fun?"
As the story meanders along, it takes a couple of small, unexpected turns. There are even a few minor mysteries along the way, but they are of no real consequence. The question on the viewers' minds is whether the family will ever be able to pull it together again. Although it isn't in the same league as Oscar-nominee IN THE BEDROOM, THE SON'S ROOM is an honest and compelling film that effectively explores grief and the search for resolution.
THE SON'S ROOM runs 1:39. The film is in Italian with English subtitles. It is rated R for "language and some sexuality" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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