While the latest feature from Black Fawn Films and Breakthrough Entertainment Inc., The Oak Room, has the dark, rich production values we have come to expect from the companies, it also stands out in their catalogue of films. Their other titles, which include I’ll Take Your Dead and Let Her Out, fall much more into the horror/thriller genre, while The Oak Room takes a more dramatic, story-driven approach.
Synopsis:During a raging snowstorm, a drifter (RJ Mitte) returns home to the blue-collar bar located in the remote Canadian town where he was born. When he offers to settle an old debt with a grizzled bartender (Peter Outerbridge, The Expanse) by telling him a story, the night’s events quickly spin into a dark tale of mistaken identities, double-crosses and shocking violence.
RELATED: Romero’s Unseen ‘The Amusement Park’ Picked Up by Yellow Veil Pictures
In order to properly execute the script, which was adapted from a play by Peter Genoway of the same name, the main actors had to elicit emotions, suspense, and fear through more words than actions. This would have been impossible without a strong, commanding cast. RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad), Peter Outerbridge (The Expanse), and Ari Millen (Orphan Black) all have their own compelling moments throughout the film, methodically unraveling plot details for the viewer. Once the ending hits, it immediately makes you think back on everything you just witnessed. As the music (composer: Steph Copeland) starts playing, some surprising emotions come to surface.
As the synopsis mentions, there is violence to be had. Ari Millen’s character is as vicious and unrelenting as they come. The sound effects added to the brutality make it that much more intense. When you consider the story and characters involved, it gets hard to watch…and listen to. I mean this as a compliment, of course.
RELATED: When Horror Dishes Out Comeuppance: Did They Deserve It?
With all of this said, there are pacing issues in the first half of the film. It takes a bit to warm up initially, with mundane talk to fill the audience in on the characters’ histories. While it’s great to have backstory, it could have perhaps been cut down or been more attention-grabbing. As things get going, however, the story has a snowball effect (pun intended) and builds quite nicely.
Overall, The Oak Room is another well-produced feature from Black Fawn Films with a great cast of characters and a story that will stay with you once it’s over. The film recently screened at Cannes’ Marche du Film and will be screened at other film festivals as announced.
RELATED: Review: ‘Blade: The Iron Cross’ is a Violent Little Side Quest
