Brilliant and touching

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Directed by Terry George, "Reservation Road" is an intermittently interesting drama staring Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly as a husband and wife who lose their son during a hit-and-run accident. Mark Ruffalo plays the driver of the car responsible for the death.Though unbelievably heavy-handed in a number of sections, "Reservation Road" is lifted by another excellent, wounded-man performance by Mark Ruffalo. Elle Fanning and Joaquin Phoenix do memorable work as well, though Phoenox's character becomes incredulously written as the film progresses. Connelly is mostly terrible in another underwritten female role. The film, a sorrowful tragedy filmed in melancholic blacks and harsh, judgemental whites, plays well when its operating as a morality tale. Less successful are its thriller elements.7.9/10 – See "Exotica" and "The Yellow Handkerchief". Worth one viewing.

Terry George has already established a name for himself as a writer and director. His previous directorial venture, 'Hotel Rwanda' tells the poignant story of Paul Rusesabagina's courageous attempt to rescue thousands of Rwandans during a genocide that was largely ignored by the world. With 'Reservation Road' he tells a harrowing story of one of the worst kinds of losses experienced by humans (especially parents) the loss of a child.John Burnham Schwartz adapts his own novel and his screenplay is rich in detail, story and character development. George doesn't only touch on the issue of grief but also on anger, obsession, revenge, guilt and taking responsibility that result from such severe loss. The tension he builds through atmosphere and interaction of actors, the poetic flow, stunning cinematography and soundtrack all come together beautifully. In addition the viewer is kept in suspense.The emotions and reactions displayed by the performers are very raw and appear very natural. All the actors do nothing short of superb, even though the film mainly belongs to Mark Ruffalo and Joaquin Phoenix (both are exceptional as they deliver one of the best of their careers). Jennifer Connelly is remarkable and Elle Fanning is brilliant. Mira Sorvino provides adequate support in a small role.Emotionally engaging, engrossing and layered, 'Reservation Road' successfully involves the viewer and lingers in mind long after the closing credits have rolled. It's a shame that the film was poorly marketed (even with a huge starcast) and got overlooked by people.

Such an incredible movie Personally it's Joquain Pheonix's best film. The acting is brilliant. Mark Ruffalo plays a brilliant killer who you really feel sorry for. Joquain Pheonix plays a incredible grief stricken dad. Jennifer Connelly plays a traumatic wife and Elle Fanning plays a emotionally torn sister.Reservation Road follows 2 families. The first family consists of a father (Dwight Arno, Mark Ruffalo) and son (Lucas, Eddie Alderson (I Think)) who are only together for a day because Dwight has lost custody of Lucas. They are returning home from a baseball game and are stuck in traffic to Lucas's mum's annoyance. The second family consist of husband (Ethan Learner, Joquain Phoenix), wife (Grace, Jennifer Connelly) son, (Josh, Sean Curley) and daughter (Emma, Elle Fanning) who are returning from a day out. They stop off at a gas station and Josh runs out onto the road (Reservation Road) and is run over and killed by Dwight who continues driving. Cue a brutally sad scene. The Learner family decide to get legal help so they hire a lawyer. The lawyer is Dwight, Josh's killer, and Ethan didn't see Dwight that night so everything is fine for Dwight. Soon after Emma is being taught the piano by Dwight's ex-wife and Ethan picks up Emma and again sees Dwight. After all these encounters surely Ethan will remember right? Watch it as it is fantastic and you may cry.

This was a very good drama with a good plot. We all have families that would be devastated with the loss of a loved one. We would all handle it differently and this movie shares one such avenue for justice we would seek. The scenes were set in the northeast and were all very well done. The actor/actresses did a real good job with their characters. I especially liked the dialogue between Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly. One part was quite predictable but did not ruin the story. I found it quite interesting and entertaining. The end was not what I would have done and some viewers may have a similar comment. But overall was an entertaining movie worth 2 hours of your time.