Room is balance. A balance achieved through imaginative storytelling. There are beautiful moments during despair and sad moments during supposed elation. It is this parity that keeps us so invested before and after the story’s fulcrum; the separation, escape and reunion of Ma and Jack. There is no parity during these minutes. It is as powerful as cinema can get.

While Larson and Tremblay were brilliant, it is the performance of Tom McCamus as Leo that is subtly heroic in this film. He is the first male to pay Jack any mind. Ma’s father (Macy) cannot acknowledge Jack because of the circumstances with which he came to be. The male police officer was even dismissive and condescending. Enter Leo, Ma’s stepdad, who simply shares a bowl of cereal with Jack and socially catapults him into this world.

The film is disturbing, no question. But the tinge of joy from parental love and childhood innocence wins. Larson’s is the best female performance of the year, by far. Jack can say goodnight to napkin 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as half napkin as this moving film gains 4.5 out of 5.