Reservation Road
Encyclopedia
Reservation Road is a 2007 film directed by Terry George
and based on the book of the same title by John Burnham Schwartz
, who, along with George, adapted the novel for the screenplay. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix
and Mark Ruffalo
, deals with the aftermath of a tragic car accident. It was released to theaters on October 19, 2007.
), is an attorney who is divorced from his wife Ruth (Mira Sorvino
). Ruth controls custody of their son Lucas (Eddie Alderson
), while Dwight maintains visitation rights. Dwight and Lucas are at a baseball game when Ruth calls, informing Dwight that he is late with returning their son home. Dwight drives Lucas home in a hurry, thinking he might forfeit his visitation privileges. When he loses control of his vehicle, he accidentally hits a young boy, Josh Learner (Sean Curley
), who is standing by a roadside. Aware that he has struck the boy, Dwight continues driving on. To Lucas, who has a minor injury from the incident, Dwight lies, saying that they had collided with a tree log. Dwight later hears on a newscast that Josh died in the collision. Subsequently, he tries to cover up the evidence which implicates him in the hit-and-run accident. After the initial shock of losing Josh, Grace (Jennifer Connelly
) gradually tries to get on with life, but her husband Ethan (Joaquin Phoenix
), is obsessed with finding out who killed their son and frustrated with the lack of progress the police are making in their investigation. Ethan eventually decides to hire a lawyer, who oddly enough turns out to be Dwight.
Ethan later discovers that Dwight is the perpetrator. In revenge, and fearing that Dwight would be incarcerated for only a short time, he buys a gun and travels to his house to murder him. Ethan points the gun at Dwight, who eager to avoid danger to Lucas, begs Ethan that they at least go outside. With Dwight in the trunk of his car, Ethan drives him to a remote location. Because of Ethan's emotional state and resulting hesitation, Dwight manages to grab the gun from Ethan and point it at him, but later points it at himself instead. Ethan, seeing that Dwight feels sorrow, finally finds peace and leaves him there. The film ends with Lucas alone watching a taped confession about the incident from Dwight with the authorities, indicating his involvement.
starting in late October, 2006, with the opening scene at Cove Island Park
. Parts of the movie were also filmed at Lake Compounce
Amusement Park in Bristol, Connecticut
and the Olde Blue Bird Inn & Gas Station and adjacent Baseball Field in Easton, CT Shots of Martha's Vineyard are used in the trailer and movie.
reported that 37% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 103 reviews. Metacritic
reported the film had an average score of 56 out of 100, based on 30 reviews.
Terry George
Terry George is an Irish screenwriter and director. Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland much of his film work involves the Troubles in Northern Ireland...
and based on the book of the same title by John Burnham Schwartz
John Burnham Schwartz
-Career:John Burnham Schwartz was born in 1965 and grew up in New York City. He is best known for his novels Reservation Road and The Commoner . His fifth novel, Northwest Corner, a sequel to Reservation Road, will be published in August 2011...
, who, along with George, adapted the novel for the screenplay. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
and Mark Ruffalo
Mark Ruffalo
Mark Alan Ruffalo is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He starred in films such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Zodiac, Shutter Island, Just Like Heaven, You Can Count on Me and The Kids Are All Right for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best...
, deals with the aftermath of a tragic car accident. It was released to theaters on October 19, 2007.
Plot
Dwight Arno (Mark RuffaloMark Ruffalo
Mark Alan Ruffalo is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He starred in films such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Zodiac, Shutter Island, Just Like Heaven, You Can Count on Me and The Kids Are All Right for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best...
), is an attorney who is divorced from his wife Ruth (Mira Sorvino
Mira Sorvino
Mira Katherine Sorvino is an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mighty Aphrodite and is also known for her role as Romy White in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.- Early life :Sorvino was born in Tenafly, New Jersey...
). Ruth controls custody of their son Lucas (Eddie Alderson
Eddie Alderson
-Life and career:Eddie Alderson was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to Rich and Kathy Alderson.Alderson has portrayed Matthew Buchanan on ABC's One Life to Live since May 10, 2001. He was put on contract with the OLTL series in December 2008...
), while Dwight maintains visitation rights. Dwight and Lucas are at a baseball game when Ruth calls, informing Dwight that he is late with returning their son home. Dwight drives Lucas home in a hurry, thinking he might forfeit his visitation privileges. When he loses control of his vehicle, he accidentally hits a young boy, Josh Learner (Sean Curley
Sean Curley
Sean Curley is an American actor. He is the singing voice of Pablo on The Backyardigans and Spencer on Whoopi's Littleburg. He also played Josh Learner in Reservation Road. On Broadway, he has been in Fiddler on the Roof and Beauty and the Beast...
), who is standing by a roadside. Aware that he has struck the boy, Dwight continues driving on. To Lucas, who has a minor injury from the incident, Dwight lies, saying that they had collided with a tree log. Dwight later hears on a newscast that Josh died in the collision. Subsequently, he tries to cover up the evidence which implicates him in the hit-and-run accident. After the initial shock of losing Josh, Grace (Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Lynn Connelly is an American film actress, who began her career as a child model. She appeared in magazine, newspaper and television advertising, before making her motion picture debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America...
) gradually tries to get on with life, but her husband Ethan (Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
), is obsessed with finding out who killed their son and frustrated with the lack of progress the police are making in their investigation. Ethan eventually decides to hire a lawyer, who oddly enough turns out to be Dwight.
Ethan later discovers that Dwight is the perpetrator. In revenge, and fearing that Dwight would be incarcerated for only a short time, he buys a gun and travels to his house to murder him. Ethan points the gun at Dwight, who eager to avoid danger to Lucas, begs Ethan that they at least go outside. With Dwight in the trunk of his car, Ethan drives him to a remote location. Because of Ethan's emotional state and resulting hesitation, Dwight manages to grab the gun from Ethan and point it at him, but later points it at himself instead. Ethan, seeing that Dwight feels sorrow, finally finds peace and leaves him there. The film ends with Lucas alone watching a taped confession about the incident from Dwight with the authorities, indicating his involvement.
Cast
- Joaquin PhoenixJoaquin PhoenixJoaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
as Ethan Learner - Mark RuffaloMark RuffaloMark Alan Ruffalo is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He starred in films such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Zodiac, Shutter Island, Just Like Heaven, You Can Count on Me and The Kids Are All Right for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best...
as Dwight Arno - Jennifer ConnellyJennifer ConnellyJennifer Lynn Connelly is an American film actress, who began her career as a child model. She appeared in magazine, newspaper and television advertising, before making her motion picture debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America...
as Grace Learner - Mira SorvinoMira SorvinoMira Katherine Sorvino is an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mighty Aphrodite and is also known for her role as Romy White in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.- Early life :Sorvino was born in Tenafly, New Jersey...
as Ruth Wheldon - Elle FanningElle FanningMary Elle Fanning , credited as Elle Fanning, is an American actress. She is the younger sister of actress Dakota Fanning and mainly known for her starring roles in Phoebe in Wonderland, Somewhere, Super 8 and We Bought a Zoo which will receive a theatrical release on December 23,...
as Emma Learner - Eddie AldersonEddie Alderson-Life and career:Eddie Alderson was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to Rich and Kathy Alderson.Alderson has portrayed Matthew Buchanan on ABC's One Life to Live since May 10, 2001. He was put on contract with the OLTL series in December 2008...
as Lucas Arno - Sean CurleySean CurleySean Curley is an American actor. He is the singing voice of Pablo on The Backyardigans and Spencer on Whoopi's Littleburg. He also played Josh Learner in Reservation Road. On Broadway, he has been in Fiddler on the Roof and Beauty and the Beast...
as Josh Learner
Filming
The film was shot in Stamford, ConnecticutStamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
starting in late October, 2006, with the opening scene at Cove Island Park
Cove Island Park
Cove Island Park is a beach in The Cove section of Stamford, Connecticut, located on Long Island Sound. It is a popular spot for residents of Stamford to go rollerblading, biking and walking, as well as enjoy barbecues and ride the tram around the island....
. Parts of the movie were also filmed at Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol, Connecticut, United States and a part of the neighboring town of Southington, Connecticut; the lake itself lies completely in Southington. It is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, having operated every year...
Amusement Park in Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
and the Olde Blue Bird Inn & Gas Station and adjacent Baseball Field in Easton, CT Shots of Martha's Vineyard are used in the trailer and movie.
Critical response
The film received generally mixed reviews from critics. As of October 07, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reported that 37% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 103 reviews. Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
reported the film had an average score of 56 out of 100, based on 30 reviews.