Reservation Road (2007)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Terry George

Writers (WGA):

John Burnham Schwartz (screenplay) and
Terry George (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 November 2007 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

To find the truth, you have to find who's hiding it.

Plot:

On a warm September evening, college professor Ethan Learner, his wife Grace, and their daughter Emma are attending a recital...

Plot Keywords:

Accident | Investigation | Red Sox | Baseball | Family Relationships

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix	...	Ethan Learner
Elle Fanning	...	Emma
Jennifer Connelly	...	Grace Learner
Sean Curley	...	Josh
Samuel Ryan Finn	...	Cello Player
Eddie Alderson	...	Lucas
Mark Ruffalo	...	Dwight Arno
Susan Powell	...	Elegant Parent
Cordell Clyde	...	Jimmy McBride (as Cordell Clyde Lochin)
Antoni Corone	...	Sergeant Burke
Kevin Herbst	...	Driving Trooper
Mira Sorvino	...	Ruth Wheldon
Gary Kohn	...	Norris Wheldon
John Slattery	...	Steve Cutter
Nora Ferrari	...	Nora Fannelli

Also Known As:

Ein einziger Augenblick (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some disturbing images.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:14A | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:11 | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Hong Kong:IIA | Brazil:12 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Peru:14 | South Korea:12 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Company:

Focus Features

Goofs:

Continuity: At 1:21-1:22, when Ethan is in Luke's room and sees a picture of Luke and Dwight it is a horizontal picture. Yet when he picks it up, it is a vertical picture. There is only that one horizontal picture on the dresser.

Quotes:

Grace Learner: Mrs. Wheldon was wondering if you'd like to play in the school concert. Maybe practice with her after school. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.
Emma Learner: Can you hear music if you're in Heaven?
Grace Learner: [pauses] Yes.
Emma Learner: Okay, then. I'll do it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-10-20)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Headlines 2 & 7

Well crafted character study of tragedy

I knew nothing about the plot when I rented this film. With Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly and Mark Ruffalo starring in it, I figured it would be, at the very least, good, and it was. From the beginning scenes, a palpable tension is created; you just know something awful is about to happen despite two normal family outings being the subject matter. From then on, the plot reels out in an arc rife with too many coincidences, but the direction was able to pull it off without making me want to groan. There are some emotional scenes that would have played a little better had they been more subtle. The police officer and Mark Ruffalo were flawless. The children were outstanding. I'm not sure if it was Joaquin's character, the script, the direction or what, but he did not keep me riveted as he usually does; a bit over-acted perhaps. Jennifer delivered a couple of lines that didn't ring true--could have been an editing problem. The obsession of anger/justice seems a bit premature. It would have been better to see a progression. Despite my criticisms, I found enough mastery and depth of character to recommend it and give it a 7. I found myself worrying that the ending would ruin the film but it was faultless and convincing.