Marvin's Room

source: Marvin's Room

Why would Robert DeNiro take a part like this? I found so many things in this movie annoying - all the characters are overplayed, including the son. Bone marrow extracts are not done in a doctor's office - they are done in a hospital. Were De Niro and his brother just comic relief? And what about that little brother with no will or personality? Why use Hume Cronyn to play a person who can't talk?

I was recently in a production of the stage production of Marvin's Room (yes, there was a play. It came before the movie). I was cast as Hank. I found it a challenging role to portray, but I feel I came out in the end with a good representation. I'll be the first to tell you - I don't have the stunning looks of Leo, but the looks are just a superfluous bonus. Anyway, back onto my comments. I think the movie really captured the deep meaning of the play. The connections family makes, and how such great distances can be crossed emotionally by showing love for someone. I really enjoyed watching the movie, it brought back all the memories of the experience in acting this show. Bravo to them all!

Marvin's Room was a surprising film full of humour, sadness and an excellent cast. Although the story may be limited and slightly predictable the director manages to create the relationship between the characters so well that you are immediately drawn into it forgetting the over the top soppiness. The ending also was an anti-climax however the cast's performances manages to make up for these imperfections. Leonardo DiCaprio makes up for his performances in films such as Titanic with a great performance as the angry son who is in a mental institution, Robert De Niro plays the part of the incompetent doctor to perfection (a change from his gangster-like characters) Meryl Streep also redeems herself as a talented actress with her performance as the inadequate mother who finds it hard to look after her children and Diane Keaton also makes a stunning performance. Overall a great film well worth seeing even if its only for the cast. 4/5

Though I normally don't like Leonardo DiCaprio I must admit that he is amazing in this part. I also thought that the rest of the characters gave a moving and honest performance.

I found that the Lee/Bessie/Marvin situation paralleled the Bob/Doctor situation. You have family, you know they can't go anywhere else so you felt compelled to help them. I was told that the point of this is 'Family Matters Most', but I personally disagree. I see this as being humans having a natural instinct to want to help people and share in their pain no matter how much they think they don't (i.e. Hank changing.) I also liked it how it showed you someone can be COMPLETELY different around two different people (i.e. Hank/Bessie.) I usually never cry in movies...but this got my eyes stinging.

Marvins Room was a moving story. It was one of the most wonderfully acted out films I've ever seen, it wasn't made out to be glamorous but realistic. Although it was a drama, I thought there was a lot of humour in it, to lighten it up.

This one hit me hard. Losing a wonderful aunt to cancer myself, I feel this on a deep level. DiCaprio, Streep, Keaton and even Deniro (although his role was small) were awesome in this movie. I am writing this review while the closing credits play, so the movie is still fresh for me.

I loved the aunt in this movie-the old lady. In my book, she was superb! Leonardo was fine as the good kid with the tough exterior, perfect for the role. What can I say about Diane and Meryl??? They were great, as usual. What would one expect? This film should make anyone who is out of touch with their family, immediately pick up the phone.

Marvin's Room is a rare and powerful film thanks to a great screenplay and wonderful character development. It is also an acting masterpiece, as all of the actors involved embody their characters flawlessly through what must be a clear understanding their state of mind. Streep is superb as Lee, Keaton is luminous as Bessie, Verdon is perfect as Ruth, and De Niro is a treat to watch as Bessie's dysfunctional doctor. Young DiCaprio shines brightly among his renowned co-stars, offering an intelligent and transparent performance that lets us see Hank's reality in his eyes (a remarkable accomplishment, considering the character's potential for a superficial and stereotypical portrayal). Again, everyone involved is excellent, lending depth and humanity to their characters. And as if that was not enough to make Marvin's Room an excellent film, the story's ending was perfect, refusing to surrender to simplistic Hollywood standards.