Film Review: LOVE GETS A ROOM (2021): Rodrigo Cortés’ Touching Film is a Heartfelt, Terrifically Acted Drama

Love Gets a Room Review

Love Gets a Room (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Rodrigo Cortés, written by David Safier, Jerzy Jurandot and Rodrigo Cortés and starring Clara Rugaard, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Mark Ryder, Valentina Belle, Jack Roth, Freya Parks, Anastasia Hille, Magnus Krepper, Henry Goodman, Dalit Streett Tejeda and Phillip Sponbiel.

In Love Gets a Room, Rodrigo Cortés brings to life the pains and passions of a theatrical group of performers in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Love Gets a Room is a remarkable achievement in that it does much with its material to create a portrait of people who are scared of what’s to come but find comfort in performing in the moment. Clara Rugaard stars in the movie in a heartfelt turn full of complex emotions. She portrays Stefcia who we meet right at the start of the picture and this deeply focused movie centers on her joys and her tribulations.

Stefcia goes on the stage as an escape from the real world around her. She is playing in a goofy comedy that allows her and her fellow actors and actresses the freedom of expression that helps them cope with the impending doom surrounding them. Mark Ryder plays the actor, Patryk, who was once romantically involved with Stefcia and has a plan to take her away from the bleak situation they are currently immersed in. Patryk has pulled strings to escape with Stefcia but another actor, Edmund (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), is Stefcia’s current boyfriend. Edmund has a little sister named Sarah (a well-cast Dalit Streett Tejeda).

This film focuses on choices that must be made in a brief amount of time and the way that these artists’ performances on stage are truly coming from their darkest fears. By acting in a light production, the artists find ways to cope with the unfortunate realities that have been laid out before them. When people enter the theater mid-production, the actors get scared. They believe something must be wrong. It’s a time of fear and comedy is the only way to deal with the tragedy that awaits.

A hysterical series of scenes takes place on the stage. The actors are enjoying performing for the crowd and singing hilarious songs. They act like they are riding in a vehicle at one point and do so in an enjoyable fashion bouncing on stage and putting tremendous energy into their performances which drives the crowd watching them to laughter.

Clara Rugaard has so much passion and is delightful to watch in the fun theatrical sequences within the picture. Rugaard’s character also must deal with more dire situations such as when a proposal to make money in a different way outside of the show arises. That scene makes for a heartbreaking moment within the picture.

The characters in the play within the film are all living together. There’s a landlady (the fine Anastasia Hille) who charges the couples the same rent even though they are all living in the same space. These scenes are humorous and the competition between Edmund and Patryk for Stefcia’s affections is integrated into the actual play itself. Valentina Belle plays another one of the actresses in the show and Belle adds a lot of fun and sarcasm to the theatrical production within the film.

Love Gets a Room is ultimately heart-wrenching. The last scenes display the last triumphant moments that these actors will get to have together before reality sets in. These characters need to make the most of them. Two of them will try to escape as well. Rodrigo Cortés’ direction will keep viewers intrigued in the way this film will unfold.

While Rugaard is the best in the talented cast, there are more subtle performances which significantly stand out. Ryder is particularly effective as his character desperately tries to escape with Stefcia. Ryder adds depth to his role as does Walsh-Peelo as the recipient of Stefcia’s love. Maybe Stefcia loves both men but in different ways. Love can only shine to an extent as what is to soon occur will change all the characters of the film’s lives forever.

This picture is an impressive accomplishment. It feels like it is happening in real time and there’s a sense of urgency to the action that makes it all the more tense to watch. When Stefcia and most of her fellow performers share in their joy at the conclusion of the film, it’s a triumph for the human spirit in a time of tragedy. It’s like a reminder of what makes life so precious and how every moment must be appreciated because tomorrow could change everything.

Rodrigo Cortés has crafted a movie with a fine cast that is a powerful history lesson and an ode to the human spirit. It is an important film and deserves to be seen. Clara Rugaard is the type of actress who has what it takes to become one of the best and her performance here is hopefully a stepping stone to even greater things to come.

Rating: 8.5/10

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