There are certain reviewers out there whose style it is to go through plot points when talking about a project. Telling some of the story as they entice a potential audience. I've always avoided storyline articles, not for any specific reason other than I enjoy watching a film 'cold', knowing very little about it other than very rough clues as to the type of film I will be watching. That style works for some, not for others but hey it works for me so I will keep doing it.
I knew nothing about 'Rose' other than 'Based on a True Story' which is my favourite type of film. I love fiction but there is something more powerful about a film if you know it actually happened to someone.
This week I sat down and watched 'Rose' and what can I tell you about the film. Well firstly. Crikey!
Earlier I saw another review of 'Rose' that commented on the difficulty of writing any comments about a film that tackles the subject of violence. Im not talking about horror violence, I am talking about real violence, against women, against children, but more than that, violent acts that actually happened and weren't just created by a screenwriter and a keyboard.
The word 'Powerful' doesn't even come close to a good word for this film. It blew me away. It is a very hard watch, yes of course. But for me it was an eighty-six minute film with impact. For the real 'Rose' it was far longer than that, and for Kemal who co-wrote (with Jack James & Steven Loveless) and directed the film it was four years of his life.
Rose (Helen Clifford) lives in Hellville (a made up town name but thats where fiction ends and true life takes over). Rose truly lives in hell, with her daughter Ellie (Chelsea Alcock) and hell is most certainly an understatement.
Battling to escape her violent world and protect her daughter, Rose battles with drug addiction, abuse, and a host of very grim characters that pollute Hellville. All made even tougher by the knowledge that you know all this actually happened to real people. Its truly heartbreaking but has to be seen.
Yes its a tough watch, but as I mentioned, its eighty six minutes out of your life that will stay with you far, far longer than that but this is one of those films that isn't about entertainment. Its about a message, its about helping, its about not walking through life with your eyes closed. Its also about making sure as many people see films like 'Rose' and then tell others about it.
Most films I watch are for entertainment. Rose however will and can make lives change.
Id also like to send out praise (if that's the right word) to the real life 'Rose' whose life this film is based on. To help put a very dark time of your life on screen takes courage and people WILL watch this film and it will make a difference to those going through extremely tough times in their lives.
The cast and crew have done a fantastic and careful job in bringing someones life (or at least part of it) to the screen.
I watch 100s of films each year...But the film Rose is (so far) the only film that haunts me. I sit here today, typing this. Looking out of the window, seeing the sun and the cloudless sky. I sit here and hope that the real life 'Rose' is happy, that shes smiling,sitting somewhere with a cool drink and rebuilding life.
Thanks to Rose for letting this film be made and thanks to those who made it.
