The Room Upstairs

The Room Upstairs

Year: 1987

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: Stuart Margolin

Romance

A Boston teacher converts her aging family home into a boarding house to earn desperately needed extra income. As eclectic tenants move in, their presence proves far more valuable than the rent, offering friendship, unexpected support, and the encouragement that helps her confront personal struggles and rebuild her life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Room Upstairs (1987)

Trace every key event in The Room Upstairs (1987) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Leah inherits a house and becomes a landlady

Leah Lazenby inherits her parents' house and decides to rent out rooms to tenants to save money. She continues sleeping in her parents' parlour while working as a teacher at a nearby school for children with disabilities. The arrangement sets the stage for the tenants to enter her life and shape her day-to-day world.

start Leah's inherited house
2

Travis arrives and is quickly accepted

A cellist named Travis Coles visits to inquire about the upstairs room and offers to pay in advance, earning Leah's immediate acceptance. He fits in well, flatters her during plumbing, and begins helping the other tenants. He quickly becomes a trusted presence in the house.

early Leah's house
3

Travis proves his protective role

Travis earns Leah's trust by easing daily tensions and watching out for her safety. He protects Leah when a troublesome tenant, Kevin, assaults her, and he photographs Leah's pupils, deepening their connection. He becomes a steady support as she manages the household.

Leah's house
4

Leah helps Ellie after Kevin's betrayal

When Ellie, Kevin's wife, attempts suicide following Kevin's betrayal, Leah is called to help take her to the hospital. Travis supports her through the crisis as they navigate the fallout. The incident brings Leah closer to Ellie and strengthens her bond with Travis.

soon after Hospital
5

Susan arrives: Leah's illiterate ward

Leah is assigned to look after Susan, an unruly illiterate teenage girl who refuses to attend school. Susan lives with her boyfriend, complicating the house dynamics. Leah begins trying to teach her to read using fashion magazines.

School
6

Leah's teaching methods backfire; public fight

Leah's attempts to teach Susan with fashion magazines backfire as the girl and her boyfriend push back against discipline. Susan stages a cruel trick that leads to a public altercation, and Leah loses her temper. When the police arrive, Susan accuses Leah of assault with a broken bottle.

Public space
7

Leah and Travis reconnect after the Susan incident

Back at home, Leah finds Travis repairing the sink and they exchange blunt truths about hurt. He urges her to care about others' problems as well. Leah then reaches out to Ellie, and the two women become friends.

after incident with Susan Leah's house
8

Head teacher keeps Leah on track

Head teacher Mrs. Sanders persuades Leah not to quit teaching and offers her a different task within the school. The support helps stabilize Leah amid the Susan situation. This encouragement reinforces Leah's value beyond her tenant drama.

School
9

Mandy gives birth; Travis tours Canada; celebration

While Travis is on a concert tour in Canada, tenant Mandy gives birth, bringing new life into the house. There is a big celebration among the tenants and Leah, and Travis manages to visit during a break in the tour. The moment deepens the sense of family in Leah's home.

during concert tour break Leah's house; Canada
10

Romance and confession: deafblind child and past tragedy

Romance develops between Leah and Travis as trust grows between them. Leah shares the case of a deafblind child, testing their budding intimacy. Travis opens up about his past tragedy, revealing a child who died on tour and a wife who blamed him.

evening Leah's house
11

The night of closeness

Having his shoulder to lean on, Leah falls asleep and wakes the next morning feeling comfortable and connected to Travis. Their bond deepens as they confront their vulnerabilities together. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.

morning after Leah's bedroom
12

Frank's anger and a buyout attempt

Leah's brother Frank grows angry about the house's modest profit and presses her to sell or buy him out. She refuses his offer, determined to maintain control of her home. The conflict underscores the push-pull between family pressure and personal independence.

Leah's house
13

A concert trip and a kiss

Travis takes Leah to one of his concerts, sharing a new experience and bridging their two worlds. After they return home, Leah prepares a meal and they share a kiss, sealing their growing romance. The sequence combines music, intimacy, and hope for the future.

after concert Concert hall; Leah's house

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:38

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The Room Upstairs Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Room Upstairs

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