Isaac has recently arrived in Ireland as a migrant, and after some time staying with friends and friends-of-friends, he no longer has a place to stay. One night at a cafe, he returns a bag that an elderly blind woman, Vicky, leaves behind, which allows him to discreetly take up residence in her home for the night. One night stretches into a longer period, as Isaac settles into the home and tries to co-exist without detection. Isaac quietly helps Vicky around the house, helping her with small tasks and chores, and the two form a gentle, unspoken bond as Isaac awaits a resolution to his tenuous living situation. Directed by T.J. O'Grady-Peyton and written by Michael Whelan, this plaintive Oscar-longlisted short drama has a gentle and unassuming tenor, reflecting both the temperament of its decent, kindhearted characters and Isaac's furtive mode of existence as he tries to hold onto safety, shelter and security in his nebulous situation. There's a tender charm in portraying the unique living situation and quiet connection that grows between Isaac and Vicky, even as the film sheds light on how easily it is for someone to slip into homelessness. The balance between heartfelt, understated emotion and social realism makes for a complex, insightful narrative that engenders compassion and warmth while shedding light on societal challenges like migration, sleeping rough and the social isolation of the elderly. With its muted naturalism and its quiet storytelling, the film charts Isaac's situation with an almost minimalist economy, with the matter-of-fact realization that he has no place to stay anymore.
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Faced with being unhoused, his run-in with Vicky proves fortuitous. Some tension builds as Isaac tries to avoid discovery as he settles into Vicky's home, taking advantage of her blindness and absences to rest, take a bath and do other simple tasks that are impossible in homelessness. But the elegantly pared-down writing emphasizes character, portraying both Isaac and Vicky as kind, decent people, qualities brought to life by actors Brid Brennan and Gabriel Adewusi in beautifully understated performances. It's a pleasure to watch their unspoken bond grow in small yet profound ways, creating a connection between them that proves unexpectedly and mutually beneficial. Though there are some moments of suspense when Isaac is close to being discovered, the dramatic question of ROOM TAKEN is focused more on whether Victoria and Isaac will outright acknowledge one another and if that will shift the unspoken affection that has grown between them. As the film winds down to its heartwarming end, it affirms not just their connection, but also a belief in humanity's capacity for compassion, empathy and kindness, and the fundamental interconnection between us all.
