Watch Reservation Road
- R
- 2007
- 1 hr 42 min
-
6.6 (25,310)
Reservation Road is a 2007 American drama film that is directed by Terry George and is based on the book of the same name by John Burnham Schwartz. The film is a complex and emotional portrayal of grief, guilt, and redemption that explores the aftermath of a tragic accident that changes the lives of the people involved forever. The story begins with two families who live in the same town and whose lives are interconnected. The first family is comprised of Dwight Arno (Joaquin Phoenix), a successful divorce attorney, and his wife Ruth (Jennifer Connelly), a college professor. They have two children, Lucas (Eddie Alderson) and Emma (Elle Fanning). The second family is made up of Ethan Learner (Mark Ruffalo), a college professor, and his wife Grace (Mira Sorvino). They have one child, Josh (Sean Curley).
One night, Dwight and Lucas are driving home from a baseball game and accidentally hit Josh, who was riding his bike. Dwight convinces Lucas that they must flee the scene of the accident, which sets in motion a series of events that will change everyone's lives. Ethan, consumed with grief and determined to find his son's killer, joins forces with a compassionate and persistent police detective named Burke (Ed Norton). Meanwhile, Dwight struggles with the guilt of what he has done and tries to keep it hidden from his family and colleagues.
The film expertly weaves together the two families' stories, showing how their lives intersect and how each character deals with their own grief and guilt. The performances by Phoenix, Ruffalo, Connelly, and Sorvino are excellent, bringing a raw and emotional intensity to the roles they play. Phoenix, in particular, is outstanding as the conflicted and troubled Dwight, who is torn between his desire to come clean and his fear of the consequences.
As the investigation continues, the tension in the film builds, and the characters are forced to confront some difficult truths about themselves and each other. The film tackles complex issues such as moral responsibility, forgiveness, and the corrosive effects of guilt. It also explores themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.
The cinematography of the film is beautiful, capturing the natural beauty of the New England landscape and the gritty reality of the suburban streets. The score, by Mark Isham, perfectly captures the emotional tone of the film, infusing it with both a sense of urgency and a haunting melancholy.
Overall, Reservation Road is a powerful and thought-provoking film that will stay with you long after you have watched it. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of redemption, even in the face of tragedy.
Reservation Road is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 46.