Wild Rose (2019)

This is the sort of film that launches a career. It's a tour de force for Jessie Buckley, rising star, who knocks it out of the park in a role and a film which could have been far more ordinary, but ends up being nothing but. The story of a wanna be star, who is just a little self-destructive, and overcomes her hurdles to find her dream is a story told again and again, but writer Nicole Taylor and director Tom Harper find a refreshing and invigorating way to tell it, and most of that has to do with finding this scene stealer Buckley.

Buckley shows us a million things in her face as her character Rose-Lynn pursues her dreams of being a country singer in Glasgow of all places while having just got out of jail and taking to raising two young children she likely didn't plan or want. The film doesn't get mired down in the difficult stuff too much, leaving all of the pain, indulgence, and passion to Buckley who brings it out so wonderfully, so touchingly, so raw. She is completely captivating.

And she plays off against Julie Waters, always a force to watch herself, so well. The two are magnetic together each supporting the other into amazing roles. Waters is understated compared to Buckley and that balance they create works perfectly.

I think one of the things I appreciated about the film is it doesn't have the traditional pay off a movie like this has. Without spoiling it I thought the ending was far more satisfying that one would usually suspect.

And then there is the music. This is the sort of country music (don't say western) that I can embrace. It's all songs by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Joe Henry, Chris Stapleton, John Prine and the like. If you're wanting country radio you're out of luck. This is the hard living, roots country which, as the lead describes, three chords and the truth. Buckley nails all the music so perfectly, so lovingly. There is pain and passion in each note. A music film rises and falls on its music and this is a triumph. 

A crowdpleaser without being condescending, Wild Rose is the kind of film that makes me love being a film lover. I'll be singing along many more times I am sure.

Wild Rose
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo
Director: Tom Harper
Writer: Nicole Taylor