I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Released in 2007, "Reservation Road" is a sad drama starring Mark Ruffalo as a divorced father in coastal Connecticut who commits a hit and run while in a hurry. He struggles with guilt and considers turning himself in while the father of the victim (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes obsessed with finding the perpetrator. Mira Sorvino and Jennifer Connelly play the ex-wife and wife respectively. Losing a child must be one of the most difficult tragedies to experience. Accidentally killing a child and then foolishly fleeing the scene would no doubt be just as hard. The two-pronged storyline culminates in an unpredictable and generally realistic conclusion. The acting is convincing on all counts. Like 2003's "House of Sand and Fog" this is a quality drama but you have to be in the mood for a tragic story. Thankfully, there are positive subtexts.The film didn't have a wide release and therefore failed at the box office, but it's on par with similar downbeat dramas like the aforementioned "House of Sand and Fog" and 2008's "Revolutionary Road." The film runs 102 minutes and was shot in Stamford, Fairfield and Easton, Connecticut. GRADE: B

I happened upon this on Netflix the other day and it looked an interesting idea. Added to that it stars three of my favourite actors in Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connolley. It's a pretty grim story and one that is particularly hard to watch if you have kids. Losing a child is every parents worst nightmare especially to something that may be avoidable like a hit and run. The film throws in an interesting curve-ball as the perpetrator of the crime Mark Ruffalo is not some low life scumbag but a normal loving father himself who is overcome by grief at the crime he has committed. It's a slow burning tale but excellently acted throughout by the three main players who bring the sad tale to life in a realistic and sensitive way. This is a fine film that explores a difficult subject well and whilst it is by no means a perfect movie (it loses it's way a little halfway through) it is well worth a watch for those that like hard hitting emotional drama.

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.

John Burnham Schwartz and director Terry George co-adapted Schwartz's novel about an upscale couple torn apart by grief when one of their two children is killed by a hit-and-run driver (to up the proverbial ante, the little boy is releasing fireflies into the trees when the accident occurs!). After the police find themselves stymied due to a lack of leads, the youngster's father embarks on his own investigation and private vendetta. Movies titled after street names are usually bad news, and this one is no different: the man searching for his son's killer is seen as obsessed and implacable, while his wife accuses him of abandoning her and their daughter (how far back does that old routine go?). Joaquin Phoenix manages to grip the audience with his tightly-wound portrayal of the devastated father, though there's no suspense in his search because the viewer is ten steps ahead of him. All we have left to wait for is the showdown, which is well-acted but not the emotional powerhouse Schwartz and George obviously meant it to be. Their picture seems structured to be another "Ordinary People", yet the supporting characters are not three-dimensional and the scenario is cluttered with overly-familiar minutiae. ** from ****