Faces cachées

Although the theme of this film is so dark and intense that it's impossible to use the words 'I enjoyed it'. Having said that for the bravery of the story, the acting and filming it is worth seeing. I was at the Irish Premiere during the Virgin Dublin International Film Festival at the weekend and was present for the all too brief Q&A afterwards featuring the directors, producer and stars Ann Skelly, Aidan Gillen & Orla Brady. The amount of effort it takes to get a good quality Irish movie made is unreal so get behind this movie, go see it even if it makes you uncomfortable.

Are you ever at home on a Thursday afternoon when you happen upon a story of a woman being convicted of murder after an unintended miscarriage? And then the algorithm reminds you that yet another woman has been killed by a (very nice) man? And then suddenly (or perhaps slowly) you feel the deep, primal rage of thousands of years of women rising up inside of you threatening to escape in a guttural scream of injustice and absurdity to the point you wonder if you could quit your day job and moonlight as one of The Furies?

Then yeah, you've found your movie.

Rose Plays Julie is a masterclass in film making, to say the least. Don't let the one sentence plot summary fool you, Rose Plays Julie defies genres to create an unforgettable and relevant story. The film covers difficult subject matter, and at times is difficult to watch. That being said, topics were handled with respect and did not seem gratuitous.

The use of symbolism and foreshadowing is unparalleled- how they made everything seem so intentional yet not contrived is beyond me. The use of sound is another strength- music that waxes and wanes allows the viewer a glimpse into the mindset of the characters. Favouring reactions over dialogue is a bold choice that absolutely works- when a character finally speaks, you hold your breath to listen. Orla Brady, Ann Skelly and Aidan Gillen are giving the performances of their careers.

All in all, Rose Plays Julie is nuanced, riveting and one of a kind.

A young woman seeks her birth mother and discovers a secret past which is revealed fairly early and leads to some unpleasant encounters for young Rose. The lead actresses are quite good as the mother and daughter attempting to repair a tragedy. I found the film to move a bit too slow for my taste but the story is a good one until an ending which left too many questions unanswered. I can still recommend Rose Plays Julie.

This movie is tough to classify - it is a suspenseful work of art that unfolds very, very deliberately. The cast has serious chops, the sound design is flawless, & it really showcases some all-around heavy duty filmmaking..like this is some Criterion collection level shiz. Simple, elegant, dark, pensive, & mean. For fans of the cathartic slow burn - if you liked Killing of a Sacred Deer, a Zed & Two Noughts, or Nothing Bad Can Happen - this film is for you.