Tim Roth's first and, surprisingly, only directorial assignment, The War Zone feels like classic gritty British (Gritish?) cinematic material: Cold, grey, weather-battered, bleak and earthy. The subject matter is heavy and undoubtedly upsetting for many, including a man who attended a public screening and was so distraught it took 20-odd minutes to calm him down. The characters are, in a sense, almost resigned to the miserableness of their lives, and that makes it all the more tragic. Tom, the character whose journey we follow, could have been made more interesting, rather than just being a stereotypically mopey teenager that's lost the ability to move his arms. But the film is right to follow him because he manages to be the least messed member up of a very disturbed family, reacting to what's happening around him as we likely would. It's got excellent performances, sensitive directing which never brings us so close to the action that we're revolted by it, but not so far away that we feel nothing. It's tough subject matter tackled in the right way, with care, sympathy and without undue judgement. It's a shame Roth hasn't done more directorial work, because that facet of his career got off to a great start.

Spoilers: This is at once a sad, even depressing story of a dysfunctional family and a cautionary tale. The opening scene when Tom comes in and Mom is there and Jessie is  there, and nobody says a word tells part of the story. Not only are these people quiet, but it seems the lack of communication is typical of the family. Mom is preoccupied by pregnancy, then a baby. Teen Tom is like a zombie after they moved from London to the countryside. Older teen sister Jessie is seemingly too familiar with Tom, sitting on a bed topless with him there. But it is a sign that she values herself only as a sex object, then we find out why. Dad is an incestuous sodomizer of his own daughter. Tim finds touching and devastatingly raw moments in this, his directorial debut, in Alexander's screenplay based on his own book. Ray and Tilda are their typically effective and professional selves, and Freddie sells the role well. But Lara is a find who ran a full gamut of emotions and self exposure, and Tim didn't cringe from the challenge of showing the saddest facts without being just sexpolitative, showing how this kind of thing could happen and surely does. So where are we at the end? The cautionary tale is that this kind of "parental" behavior can lead to explosive responses, even patricide. Tim sets us up with shots of a relatively quiet and together family, but we always have the feeling there is more to this. And the suspense is in finding out where this leads in the laconic countryside far from the city hustle bustle. Well done, Tim, a rookie director who hit one out of the park. Always liked his acting, too. The saving grace is, ironically, Tom's real love for his sister, enough that he takes on Dad, who beats him, and Tom finally ends the rape threat to Jessie via a knife, as Dad's abuse seems to have branched out to even his baby daughter. Together at the end, hiding from the world in a concrete bunker by the sea, the brother and sister wait for the other shoe to drop, content for the moment that they are alive and together.

The War Zone isn't a terrible film, Its well shot, its very well acted, and everything about the films production team is top notch. Ray Winston as always is on top form as it Tilda Swinton. But the films main stars are Lara Belmont, and Freddie Cunliffe as the two teenagers who slow learn that the other knows more about this family then they should. Lara is exceptional in this, her first on screen role (but certainly not her last) as Jessie who is living the life of a teenager that no teenager should life. Would I recommend The War Zone, well that's the tricky question. To the majority of people I know I certainly wouldn't recommend it, but not because its a badly made film (because its not a badly made film) but because its subject matter isn't not the sort of thing that a bucker of popcorn is needed to accompany. Its perhaps one of the grimmest films that Ive seen and whilst I certainly don't doubt that the storyline of this film happens in the world, and we know it does. When it comes to films, The War Zone isn't the sort of film you say ‘oh you've not seen this, oh you should watch it, its really good' or you may find you'll lose the majority of your friends. So to those who have seen the film. All my comments about the film will make perfect sense. To those who haven't seen the film. Beware! What you'll encounter is one of the saddest and grimmest films you'll have seen for…. a long time, it not of all time.

Such peculiar relationships, almost seems unfilmable, but I think Roth does a good job letting the ambiguous, cold visuals speak for itself, not letting it be so apparent like most film adaptations.

good acting but too dark and depressing for me. disturbing tale about family abuse and incest

Dark, very disturbing and powerful. It takes a brutally honest and blunt approach to a sensitive and taboo subject matter such as incest and sexual abuse in a family, how it plays on guilt and shame and ultimately destroys the trust and love of a family. Fantastic acting, gorgeous cinematography and very courageous in portraying a bleak subject matter. Tim Roth made a masterpiece. One of the best films of the 90s

Roth's directorial debut is a deeply unsettling film that successfully captures the devastating impact of incest. This frank, realistic depiction allows the viewer to vicariously feel the ambivalence and tempestuous feelings associated with the activity leaving the viewer feel just as violated and confused as the film's protagonist. Roth's skillful direction, and forceful performances from the cast (particularly Winstone) create a disturbing, powerful film that lingers and haunts long after it's over. Note: An NC-17 rating is better suited for this film.

A great picture, theme and a great movie from Tim Roth's directable debut. A gritty movie that would have you on the edge of your seat.

This film is brilliantly conceived from all aspects. It is also so brutally dark that it makes nearly impossible to watch. But, it's artistry cannot be ignored. I always expected Tim Roth to pursue more directing. His directorial debut is bold, realistic and impossible to forget.

Winstone and Swinton are good, but the film is a bore.

Not for the faint of heart, but rather powerful.

It's incredibly rare to see an actor's first feature as a director be so incredibly disturbing and touching on a very controversial subject such as incest and sexual violence. And the fact that it does so in such a subtle and complex way, with more and more information gradually being revealed as the movie goes on, weaving an even deeper and more complex tale of incest, makes it all the more disturbing and harrowing to watch. The film slowly builds up to its natural climax by, like I said, slowly revealing more bits of information, each bit worse than the last, until you get to the climax where the father does a pretty goddamn despicable thing and how that pushes Tom to take action in order to protect Jessie, his mother, and his newborn sister. The acting reflects this very subtle and complex storytelling. Though I did find Freddie Cunliffe to be a little lifeless and wooden, yes I realize his character was supposed to be unemotional but he doesn't quite pool it off. See Paul Dano in Little Miss Sunshine for how to do an unemotional performance properly. But Lara Belmont is absolutely incredible in this film and her performance is heartbreaking and multi-layered at the same time. Who knows how many years she's been sexually abused by her father, but the way she acts towards him during the climax of the film implies that it's been going on for quite a while. She's just incredible here and I'm surprised that her career hasn't taken off after this, she hasn't been attached to many high-profile projects in her career. And that really surprises me, because with her performance here, it should've made her a star. Maybe she didn't really want the hassle of being famous. Still, she is the heart and soul of this film and her performance will haunt you for a while. The cinematography in the film is certainly lacking, as I'm assuming the film didn't have a large budget, but it's certainly a minor issue. I think there'll be those that won't watch the movie just because of the way it looks, but it is an excellent drama with tremendous acting and I'd definitely recommend it.

Really wanted to like this more given Tim Roth's involvement, but not happening.

Though I applaud the exploration of provocative subject matter. The film's slow pace and somewhat lifeless performances took away some of the impact for me.

Bleak & Harrowing, Tim Roth's directorial debut

"The War Zone,"-Tim Roth revisits emotional rawness, and makes one of the most impressive actor-to-filmmaker transitions. A searing drama about incest, "The War Zone" is a brave act by Roth. The subject is noncommercial, and the way Roth confronts it -- angrily, without sentiment or exploitation -- is guaranteed to upset those members of his audience who like their drama filtered and safe. Roth's direction is moody and austere--it emphasizes the simple details of domestic life, and the ways in which families unwittingly collude to avoid the truth. They live in a comfortable cottage on the countryside, sheltered from city living, where life revolves around the kitchen table. Roth favors scenes that appear to be about nothing: Mum (Tilda Swinton) talking on the phone in the background, while in the foreground Dad (Ray Winstone), bounces the new baby. He lingers on these uneventful moments -- as if to imply that such genial routine can provide a smoke screen. One of the lingering questions is whether Swinton's character knows what's going on. The son begins to suspect of incest, piecing together evidence, but unsure of how to address the abuse. The performances are excellent throughout--but perhaps the most impressive scene is a raw exchange between the two non-professionals, Freddie Cunliffe and Lara Belmont. As she implores him to physically abuse her by placing a cigarette lighter to her bare breast. Her desire to manifest her psychic scars, and her mistaken belief in her complicity are unbearably heartbreaking. Belmont's performance is stunning and painful. Cunliffe does credit to Tom by underplaying his role, and reacting that builds to a dramatic breaking point. The final shot of the film is of the siblings huddled together alone in the bunker. It's framed like a painting, and held long enough that the pain and damage done to these children is apparent to every viewer in the audience. When the credits begin to roll, you are almost powerless to move. A father who loves his children, and wants the best for them -- but can't stop himself from destroying what he cherishes most.

Beyond disturbing, yet sterling in artistic intrepidity.

Accusations of incest surface in an isolated family. This is a remarkably dark drama. The pace is slow and the mood is always heavy. While I understand that the story and subject matter fit the dreary atmosphere, I couldn't help but think that I'd rather slit my wrists than continue watching. There is little energy behind most of the performances, which often amount to pensive, angry looks in steady shots. This is true save Ray Winstone, whose character has life and a humanity despite his depravity. The one compelling moment is in the third act when Tom finally confronts his father with his suspicions. Winstone gets to show off his talent, but the rest of the cast is left in the miasma of the film's heavy climate.

Well acted but far to bleak and depressing for me

Psycho relationship in a family. Extremely dark material. A viewer during a depressed spirit should not see this.