Room Taken

****1/2

Reviewed by: Jennie Kermode

Room Taken
"There is a good deal that’s praiseworthy about this carefully crafted film, but most notable are its central performances."

If you’ve never been homeless then it’s hard to imagine just how scary it is to be out on the streets at night with nowhere to go, no place to find refuge, but director Tj O’Grady Peyton does a good job of capturing that feeling in this Oscar-shortlisted short. It follows Isaac (Gabriel Adewusi) as he moves between hostels and agencies, desperately looking for somewhere with a free bed, only to come up empty handed. Then, in a late night café, he encounters Victoria (Brid Brennan), a widow who was recently lost her sight. Charged by the owner with following her to return the bag she has forgotten, he makes an impulsive decision, and secretly seeks shelter in her home.

It’s a tense situation, and one we would normally expect to see play out as a thriller. There is, indeed, tension throughout. Isaac is much bigger than Victoria, and one fears he might present a physical danger to her if discovered; but he is also plainly very vulnerable, and we never lose sight of the peril he is in. This is not the focus of the story, however, as Peyton is interested in something less played-out than conventional cynicism. over time, as Isaac remains in the house, cleaning and fixing things like a helpful sprite, something happens between the two, giving them both a new source of help.

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There is a good deal that’s praiseworthy about this carefully crafted film, but most notable are its central performances. This is Adewusi’s first major acting role and he’s a real find, approaching it with a sensitivity that enables him to draw out layers of meaning, keeping viewers on his side despite his transgression. Brennan is, of course, a seasoned performer, and she brings her A-game. In her hands, Victoria is a capable, independent woman in spite of her impairment. She’s also a complex character with other things going on, including a way of looking at the world which makes room for magic.

Room Taken is well observed, with a good understanding of the experience of homelessness and the day to day things which one most keenly misses in that situation. One might also notice the difference in the levels of support cand care offered to each of the main characters in their different predicaments. Strong production design is vital in short films like this, and there’s excellent work here from Ellen Kirk, who turns Victoria’s home into a palimpsest where we might read any number of her previous stories. Its rich detail emphasises the poverty of Isaac’s life – and yet the film suggests that the greatest wealth lies in human connection.

Reviewed on: 11 Jan 2025
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Room Taken packshot
When Isaac needs somewhere to sleep, he secretly moves into the home of an elderly blind woman, leading them to form a unique bond.

Director: Tj O'Grady Peyton

Writer: Michael Whelan

Starring: Brid Brennan, Gabriel Adewusi, Walé Adebusuyi, Brody Abbey, Helen Norton

Year: 2023

Runtime: 19 minutes

Country: Ireland

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