As the self-proclaimed Netflix Queen, I see a lot of movies on DVD. Last night I watched Reservation Road, a somber look at two families whose lives are thrown into chaos after a fatal hit-and-run accident claims the life of one of their sons.  As a parent, this movie was especially hard to watch because it was impossible not to imagine being in that horrible situation. It is unthinkable at best.

 

After the accident the police fail to find any suspects. Adding insult to injury, the attorneys retained by the family to find their son's killer drag their feet and just don't seem to make any progress at all. The victim's father, Ethan, a New England college professor (played by Joaquin Phoenix with crushing anguish), decides to take matters into his own hands. After meeting a fellow victim in a hit and run online chat room, the nameless, faceless parent encourages Ethan to become a vigilante and hunt down his son's killer.  

Ethan's son's killer, Dwight (Mark Ruffalo), is a divorcee trying to keep a relationship going with his son.  After what appears to have been a nasty divorce from his ex, played by Mira Sorvino, Dwight has limited custody of his son. Amidst all the confusion immediately following the accident, Dwight panics and flees the scene of the accident. He hides his car in his garage, thus turning the case cold.

In an ironic and cruel twist of fate, Dwight turns out to be the attorney hired by Ethan and his wife, Grace (Jennifer Connelly).  Mark Ruffulo gives a great performance as the guilt-ridden and anguished killer.  It's painful to watch him unravel. His guilt and heavy burden prove to be too much for him and lead to his demise.

Although the movie lumbers along, it comes to a climatic head.  Justice is served up in a violent manner when Ethan finally confronts Dwight.

I do recommend this tearjerker of a thriller, although I caution movie fans that this is a very serious and dark subject.

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