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Rose Plays Julie
By Kat Halstead,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Psychological drama has threat, trauma, sexual violence.
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Rose Plays Julie
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What's the Story?
In ROSE PLAYS JULIE, veterinary student Rose (Ann Skelly) contacts her birth mother (Orla Brady) out of the blue, looking for answers about her past. The secrets she uncovers will lead her to question her identity and threaten the stability of both their lives, setting in motion a violent chain of events.
Is It Any Good?
Writer-director duo Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy toy with the concepts of memory and reality, identity and façade in this psychological drama, heavy with unease and a sense of dread. Rose Plays Julie tackles complex subjects with assured hands, bolstered by the confident and nuanced performances of its female leads. Both Skelly's Rose and Brady's Ellen explore intricate roles within roles, gradually allowing more of their characters to be seen as their shared history is unveiled and the plot unfolds with all the impending doom of a Greek tragedy.
Settings are still and sparsely populated, adding to the dreamlike quality and the feeling that both women live in a state of emptiness until their realities collide. Rose Plays Julie is a quiet and subtly played film with a loud and clear impact, marking the filmmakers out as ones to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the sexual violence in Rose Plays Julie. Did it feel gratuitous? Why, or why not? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Discuss the theme of identity. In what ways did Rose's sense of identity change during the movie?
What did the movie have to say about the ongoing effects of trauma? What are some ways of overcoming painful events in our lives?
How did the characters show perseverance, empathy, and teamwork? Did they always put these character strengths to positive use?
The film has a strong sense of mood and atmosphere. How did it achieve this? How did it compare to other psychological dramas?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 19, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: March 19, 2021
- Cast: Ann Skelly , Orla Brady , Aidan Gillen
- Directors: Joe Lawlor , Christine Molloy
- Inclusion Information: Female directors, Female actors, Female writers
- Studio: Film Movement
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 22, 2023
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