Watch The Reading Room

The Reading Room is a heartwarming drama released in the year 2005, directed by Georg Stanford Brown. This film portrays the story of an old man named James Earl Jones, who runs a small library, called The Reading Room, in a poor neighborhood. He opens the doors of his library for everyone, especially the underprivileged children who are facing difficulties in life. With gentle and kind-hearted guidance and support, the characters of this movie learn valuable lessons about life, relationships, and the importance of knowledge.

The film opens with William Campbell (Douglas Spain), a high school student, who is struggling with his grades and dealing with traumatic family issues. Due to his problems, he is unable to focus on his education or find any way out of his situation. However, by chance, he stumbles upon The Reading Room, where he meets Mr. Byrd (James Earl Jones) - a wise and caring librarian who encourages him to explore the power of books. As William becomes more connected with books, he slowly starts to realize a new perspective about the world around him.

Mr. Byrd becomes a mentor, father figure, and confidant to William, helping him find his passion for reading, writing, and poetry. He introduces William to other fellow readers, who are also seeking refuge in the library, like Todd Jackson (Keith Robinson), who is struggling to come out amid family pressure, and Yolanda Rodriguez (Monica Horan), a woman facing difficult times in her marriage.

But, The Reading Room is not just a place for the students to study, research or read books, it's also a safe space for them to share their problems, fears, and concerns with an adult figure who cares for them. Mr. Byrd works relentlessly to help the kids by providing them with valuable life lessons that they can use in the real world. He encourages them to stand up for what they believe in, acknowledge their challenges and help others when they need it. He is a persistent force of positivity in the library, urging the kids to make positive changes in their lives.

Joanna Cassidy plays Angela, Mr. Byrd's neighbor, who takes care of him after he suffers a heart attack. She is a kind and caring woman who admires what Mr. Byrd is doing for the kids in the neighborhood. She supports him and his mission, and eventually becomes a part of the community he has created.

As the story unfolds, the audience is taken on an emotional journey of friendship, family, understanding, and acceptance. The Reading Room teaches us the true value of friendship, education, and solidarity. It emphasizes the importance of being kind and caring toward others, as we all have issues that we are dealing with, and need support. The movie also shows us that we all can make a difference in the world, no matter how small our impact may be.

Overall, The Reading Room is a powerful and inspiring film for audiences of all ages. It portrays the message that we can learn from others, persevere through tough times, and dedicate ourselves to a greater purpose. The cast put forth compelling performances, making the story relatable, heartfelt, and full of genuine emotions. This movie is one that will leave you filled with warmth and love - the perfect heartwarming experience to bring family and friends together.

The Reading Room is a 2010 tv movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.