the fresh films reviews

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Rambling Rose (1991)

Director:
Martha Coolidge
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
Drama/Romance/Comedy
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Rambling Rose
RUNNING TIME
112 minutes
Producer:
Renny Harlin
Screenwriter:
Calder Willingham


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Rose Laura Dern ½
Daddy Hillyer Robert Duvall ½
Mother Hillyer Diane Ladd ½
Buddy Hillyer Lukas Haas ½
Wilcox "Buddy" Hillyer John Heard
Doctor Martinson Kevin Conway
Police Chief Dave Wilkie Robert Burke

 

Review

High-spirited, intelligent and remarkably photographed (by Danish Johnny Jensen) film about sexual oppression, perception of youth and a handful of delightfully sympathetic, but highly believable characters set in the American south in the days of the depression. Laura Dern's performance is spot on as the rampantly sexy Rose, and the supporting roles are all equally fine. From Robert Duvall's genteel Daddy, through Diane Ladd's tolerant and charitable wife and Lukas Haas' wonderfully probing eyes (note how he so much wants to be like his father that he even speaks like him. That's kudos to Haas; not many 14-year-olds could do a good Robert Duvall impression). The film, supervised by Martha Coolidge, is almost too thoughtful for its own good, but the direction is so charming and full of life that it justifies its exuberance. Ladd and Dern became the first real-life mother and daughter to be nominated for Oscars for the same film.

 

Quotes

Daddy (Robert Duvall): "Put your damn tit back in your dress. Do you hear me girl? Replace that tit!"

Copyright © 8.2.2005 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang [HAVE YOUR SAY]