Director
Tom Harper
(THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH)

Stars
Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters and Sophie Okonedo

There are many reasons why I love critiquing movies. Discovering and then sharing precious little gems such as WILD ROSE with you all is one of them. I knew very little detail of the plot prior to viewing this Scottish drama and have no doubt that this worked to my benefit, as I’m sure it will for you also.

All that you need to know revolves around the film’s titular character, Rose-Lynn (played by Jessie Buckley from BEASTLY and HBO Series Chernobyl) and her unyielding ambitions to leave her home in Glasgow and become a professional musician in Nashville, Tennessee.

There is of course so much more to this story than that brief synopsis I’ve given you. However, to reveal some of those specifics and the characters they involve would unfairly (and greatly) alter our perceptions of the film’s protagonist and her journey. Rather, allow yourself to become instantly absorbed by the several “hurdles” delaying and perhaps even halting the undeniably and supremely talented Rose-Lynn’s arrival in Nashville, the pinpoint characterisation work and Jessie Buckley’s mesmerising performance. This is a truly stand out and star making showing from the emerging actress that deserves to (and I’m betting from now will) earn her an Oscar nomination in early 2020 (and a Golden Globe nomination at the very least). As I alluded to above, this extremely determined and brutally honest, albeit rather brash character could easily have been one to feel disdain towards and share minimal connection with. But Jessie Buckley throws everything but the kitchen sink into her portrayal of this human being, gaining a true understanding and drawing empathy from viewers where it might not have been possible otherwise.

Though the film’s story is largely centred on its protagonist and her trajectory all throughout, there isn’t a reliance on this aspect to anchor the movie either. In fact, WILD ROSE is very strongly supported by varying contributions to come from characters played by actresses Julie Walters and Sophie Okonedo, just to name a couple. They play separate, albeit vital roles to the woman that Rose-Lynn will become by the end and are part of the reason why WILD ROSE is a heartfelt, inspiring and triumphant film.

If like me, you loved the Irish music driven comedy/drama SING STREET, then you’re bound to be equally swooned by WILD ROSE. Highly recommended.

4 stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Coarse language and a sex scene)

Trailer
WILD ROSE

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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