Hit and runs continue to be a disturbing facet of civilization, a polarizing incident that claims a victim and puts the
other person on the wrong side of the law. It could happen to anyone; you come around a corner too fast, you drop something on the floor, you simply don''t see what''s ahead or who''s stepping into the street. Suddenly, a pedestrian or driver is dead, and the inflicting party must make a decision: stop and help, or continue driving. It is here that society draws its line, and for good reason. But when a driver flees after hitting someone or something, society immediately assumes that person is a monster, someone who lacks a moral code or compassion. One would hope that upon hitting someone, the driver would stop, but many things must go shoot through the mind in a split second upon realizing what has happened. Panic, hysteria and fear override even the most innocent of people''s rational instincts. Should society condone someone leaving a crime scene, even in a fit of panic? No. But does leaving a crime scene automatically mean that that person is an immoral monster? That''s what Reservation Road explores.
Mark Ruffalo stars as Dwight Arno, a lawyer and loving father going through a difficult custody battle. After coming home from a rare night out with his son, he is speeding home to avoid the wrath of his ex-wife (Mira Sorvino), when a split second mistake causes him to swerve off the road and strike a child standing on the side of the road. He pauses, considering to stop to help, and then drives on, out of panic, out of fear for losing his own son forever and so on and so forth. That decision, in a blink of an eye, sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Meanwhile, back at the side of the road, Ethan Learner (Joaquin Phoenix) watches as his son is killed instantly by a dark-colored SUV. The SUV drives on while Ethan''s wife Grace (Jennifer Connelly) realizes what has happened.
The happy family is suddenly descended into Hell, as they must cope with the loss of their boy and the growing suspicion that the police are never going to find the man who so blatantly killed him. As time goes on and Ethan''s life unravels before his eyes, he becomes obsessed with finding the killer. He seeks out a lawyer to help him in his cause. Little does he know that this lawyer, whose name is Dwight Arno, is the very man that he is searching for. As Dwight watches Ethan''s desperation, he himself becomes aware of the guilt and paranoia that is pressing down on his very soul. There is no easy way out.