In the Bedroom

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In the Bedroom

R

Released Nov 23, 2001

2h 18m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Summertime on the coast of Maine, "In the Bedroom" centers on the inner dynamics of a family in transition. Matt Fowler (Tom Wilkinson) is a doctor practicing in his native Maine and is married to New York born Ruth Fowler (Sissy Spacek), a music teacher. He is involved in a love affair with a local single mother (Marisa Tomei). As the beauty of Maine's brief and fleeting summer comes to an end, these characters find themselves in the midst of unimaginable tragedy.

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Critics Consensus

Expertly crafted and performed, In the Bedroom is a quietly wrenching portrayal of grief.

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Telegraph Staff

Daily Telegraph (UK)

This is a debut of amazing heft from Todd Field, gripping from gentle opening to dark conclusion, and acted with the kind of raw feeling that has you fighting to hold back tears.

Nov 8, 2023

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Ella Taylor

L.A. Weekly

Goes the distance to avoid banalizing the dilemma of a reasonable couple unhinged by unreasonable events.

Aug 12, 2002

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Neil Smith

BBC.com

Intense, superbly acted chamber piece.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 21, 2002

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The directing debut of actor Todd Field (he played the pianist in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut) favors the performances and they are among the best in modern American cinema.

Mar 4, 2023

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

The work lacks spontaneity and freshness. The spectator feels that he is being pulled by not-so invisible strings toward some inevitable denouement from the opening shots.

Feb 16, 2021

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Much of the film's unsettling nature is comprised of sheer silence which is often the most dangerous element...

Apr 29, 2009

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Sarfaraz A

Todd Field directed the picture, which is based on Andre Dubus's 1979 short tale "Killings," for which he is also acknowledged in the end credits. Starring Tom Wilkinson, Sissy Spacek, Marisa Tomei, and others. The film is about Matt (Tom), a doctor in a small town, and his wife, Ruth (Sissy), a music teacher. Their son, Frank, a college-graduate and fisherman, falls in love with a local older woman who has two children and has separated from her abusive husband (Richard). Tom is doing his best as a parent to both encourage his son to continue his studies and understand his love for the woman (Marisa). Frank is shot dead one day by the woman's ex-husband, leaving Tom and Ruth devastated. Tom and Ruth lose trust in the legal system after Richard is granted bail, and the lawyer informs the parents that the accused would most likely face five to ten years in prison for unintentional manslaughter rather than murder. Tom, Sissy, and Marisa all have outstanding performances in the film. The film features a terrific dramatic tale that drifts into criminal narratives and stages where the affected are forced to figure out how to deal with such traumatic events.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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David F

This serious drama about a devastating tragedy that afflicts a Maine family is a brilliantly acted, intense, and somewhat soapy film about ordinary people in small town America. Fantastic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

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Leaburn O

Starts well, ends excellently but the middle hour of this story drags terribly. It is redeemed by an excellent final set. Not one I'll remember but a solid enough tale. Watched on DVD.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

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Gareth v

A fantastic debut for Fields, who is ably supported by his cast, in this drama dealing with grief and loss. One of 2001's best movies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

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KB B

Whoa this was such a gem that I enjoyed for a second time. I don't remember hearing anything about this or theater previews but it is so compelling with excellent acting and storyline. 4.5 stars

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/23

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Irene M

a good cast, starts "in media res". My only "continuity" issue is why did he have no friends his own age?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

Full Review

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Todd Field

Director

Sissy Spacek

Ruth Fowler

Tom Wilkinson

Matt Fowler

Nick Stahl

Frank Fowler

Marisa Tomei

Natalie Strout

William Mapother

Richard Strout

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Synopsis

Summertime on the coast of Maine, "In the Bedroom" centers on the inner dynamics of a family in transition. Matt Fowler (Tom Wilkinson) is a doctor practicing in his native Maine and is married to New York born Ruth Fowler (Sissy Spacek), a music teacher. He is involved in a love affair with a local single mother (Marisa Tomei). As the beauty of Maine's brief and fleeting summer comes to an end, these characters find themselves in the midst of unimaginable tragedy.

Director: Todd Field
Producer: Todd Field, Ross Katz, Graham Leader
Screenwriter: Robert Festinger, Todd Field, Andre Dubus
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Good Machine, Standard Film Company Inc., GreeneStreet Films Inc.
Rating: R (Some Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.9M
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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