Watch Box Room

Box Room is an Irish short film directed by Michael Lathrop, that premiered in 2014. The 13-minute movie follows the story of a 6-year-old boy named Robbie (David Joseph Magee), who was living with his grandmother (Erika McGann) after his mother passed away. Robbie's father, who was said to be living abroad, had promised him that he would come to visit, but this had not happened yet.

Robbie and his grandmother live in a small house in a village, where tensions arise because Robbie's presence disrupts her routine. She has a daily routine that involves drinking tea, watching television, and doing crochet work. Robbie spends most of his time trying to get her attention, but she is too wrapped up in her routine to notice. The only time she gives him any attention is when she needs him to run errands for her.

One day, while Robbie is playing in the garden, he finds a key that belonged to his mother's room. He enters the room, which has been unused since her death, and finds a box with his name on it. He opens the box, and inside he finds a photograph of his father (Killian Coyle) and a toy wind-up car. Robbie, excited by his discovery, decides to hide in the room, hoping that his father will come and find him there.

The majority of the film takes place in the box room, where Robbie spends hours waiting for his father to arrive. During this time, he plays with the wind-up car, and the camera captures close-ups of his face as he imagines playing with his father. However, as time passes, Robbie begins to lose hope that his father will ever come, and his joy turns to sadness.

As the day goes on and Robbie is still not found, his grandmother becomes worried and begins to search for him. Once she realizes that he is in the box room, she opens the door and finds Robbie asleep inside. She takes him out, puts him to bed, and sits with him while he sleeps. When Robbie wakes up, he tells his grandmother about his discovery and that his father has not visited him yet. His grandmother tries to assure him that his father will come, but Robbie seems to have lost hope.

Box Room is a poignant and emotional story about family and the need for love and attention. The film explores the themes of loneliness, loss, and the importance of human connection. The acting is exceptional, especially David Joseph Magee, who delivers a touching performance as Robbie. There is no dialogue, and the film relies on the actors' expressions and body language to convey its message. This approach works well and adds to the film's emotional impact.

The cinematography is impressive, with close-ups capturing Robbie's emotions and the details of the wind-up car, which symbolizes his hope for his father's arrival. The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, with a haunting melody that contributes to the melancholic tone of the movie.

In conclusion, Box Room is a beautifully crafted film that tells a powerful and emotional story. The performances, cinematography, and soundtrack create a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching experience. Despite being a short film, Box Room delivers a message that will stay with the audience long after the credits roll.