Rose

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source: Rose

Indie movie, clearly made with little resources, not many actors or scenery, but likable. Actor were convincing, and the screenwriter knew how to create tension and pique the curiosity of the audience.

Worry not, the snow makes us hungry for blood and raw meat. Happens at every other house and we've learned to cope with it. It goes away in the spring.

Good actors and beautiful scenery ask us what would happen if the illness of a spouse permanently altered the way we relate to the world. The release of the film coincides with the second year of the COVID pandemic, which of course suggests this film as metaphor, but the premise could easily apply to ALS, Parkinson's, or any number of incurable diseases. Horror films are one of the ways we allow our psyches to imagine a world where the worst of our fears happen, but, 120 minutes later, we return to bills, dental appointments, etc. They are a pressure valve to release naturally occurring anxiety with contrived anxiety. That's exactly why you have seen the movie about romance and affliction dozens of times, and you know exactly what is going to happen the minute you see Rose shuttered up in her isolated house. You know what is wrong with her, and why her husband is angry and remote. You know how lonely they are. You know the fate of each character as he or she is introduced, and you know how it's going to end. What you don't know is how in heck this movie got good reviews. I don't know either, but my guess is that the pandemic put so many people in front of TV sets that the streaming services needed content. I think a lot of low budget, straight to video films got released from the moldering vault of screen hell.

Great cinematography and atmosphere, set mainly in a small cottage in the winter and in the woods in the Welsh countryside. I totally got what director Jennifer Sheridan was trying to achieve and she accomplished it very well. The acting by Matt Stokoe (Sam) who also wrote the screenplay and Sophie Rundle as Rose was excellent. Set mainly in the small, dark claustrophobic cottage. Over the course of the film we are shown what sort of sacrifice Sam was making for Rose ( who had some kind of unspecified illness, not unlike vampirism). Because of his love for his wife, this I found very touching. Overall a highly recommended film, if you have a half a brain and understand the sensitivities of the characters. I give it seven out ten overall.

Absolute gem of a movie. Like I said had me shouting what the ****?! On several occasions. In parts tense, scary, and surprisingly tender with really good heart. Avoid spoilers, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Much better than it's score would suggest.

That raw carrot they had on the table on the second last scene had more cinematic presence than anyone in this film. I've seen worse carrots but not better.

'Rose' (to use its short title) is an interesting piece, for sure. As the second part of the name suggests, it is indeed a love story, more than a horror. More like 'Beauty and the Beast' than 'The Number of the Beast'. The characters are strong, and well acted. From the start we are gradually introduced to this curious couple and their off-the-grid existence, with some very low-key lighting. Things get more interesting with the introduction of some leeches (and cool blue lighting), and conflict was set up with a young Scouse kid. But after that it lost its course somewhat. Out of the blue, Amber stumbled into their secluded little world, and this seemed particularly conceited. A pregnant teen from a broken family who wandered - in the snow?! - into the middle of the forest miles from anywhere. I didn't buy this. She was also rather an annoying character. However the two leads were excellent, and I totally sympathised with Sam's tough "I'm not letting anyone screw up our life" attitude while also feeling Rose's "She needs our help" sentiments. The finale was satisfying enough, but I really feel the script could've done with a bit more development, and a bit more of a frantic finale. Also, from a professional point of view, the camera shots Cross The Line a lot. Which is very amateurish and annoyed the hell out of me. Overall: Worth watching, for sure, but 'Could do better'.