Wild Prairie Rose (2016) User Reviews

Enjoyed This

[Mehki_Girl · 7/10 · 26 August 2020]

Based on the Deaf actor's movie in post production listed here, CODA, which means child of deaf adults, I'm assuming he is Deaf in real life. I assumed that anyway, but his bio here doesn't specify. His signing in the movie was smooth, though simplified for the character.

The movie was set in the fifties and the thinking in Deaf education was very backward as depicted in the film. If he was sent to an oral school, how did he learn to sign? From the Deaf kids with Deaf parents (and the Deaf adults if there were any) of course!

Oral schools could not squash sign language and the kids signed in stairwells and in the bathrooms, wherever they wouldn't be seen. So the scene in the stairwell was spot on.

The teacher was wrong. Sign language is a full language, not a pidgin, but English does make it in and as depicted in the scene where he tells her the two of them will create signs if they don't know the sign for something and it'll be between them, that is true. They're called home signs. Then he created a sign for lightening bug.

Anyway, a nice, pleasant little movie that got a lot of things about being Deaf in the fifties right.

I'm married to a Deaf man. They are not magical!

Charming Story

[ronaldulrici · 7/10 · 12 October 2020]

This sweet story is one step above a Hallmark production which makes it very watchable. I found it very refreshing to watch a movie which has no nudity or profanity. It also told a good story and had a happy ending. How unique for a movie made in 2016?!

A slow start but it's worth watching.

[danrs000008 · 7/10 · 14 September 2020]

1. I watched this movie mainly because of the cast including Tara Samuel (Rose) Troy Kotsur (James) and Deanne Bray (cafeteria worker). These three also were cast members in the TV series Sue Thomas FB Eye. 2. The story starts very slow, almost too slow, but picks up the pace when Rose starts learning sign language from James. Learning another language is a huge accomplishment for Rose and required her and James to spend a lot of time together, time which they both obviously enjoyed and which resulted in getting to know each other. James taught Rose about how to be happy living life out in the country instead of the big city. This doesn't look like a typical love story, and it isn't. It's slow and subtle and peaceful.

This movie deserves to be seen by more people

[firemanbob · 9/10 · 13 June 2021]

More people need to see this movie, and see what great, simple, independent film making looks like.

I'll not give away any spoilers and the ending won't come as a surprise to anyone, but none of that matters. What does matter is the gentleness and simplicity with which this story is told, and without the mind-numbing schmaltz that comes with the typical Hallmark channel movie.

That characters are a bit complicated, the scenery is gorgeous (kudos to the creators for filming on location in a very small rural town), and the movie is true to the period it is set in, both in atmosphere and set design.

I lived in western South Dakota for a time, a long time ago (about as far west as you can get from the town this is set in), which has a wildly different feel, but I still felt strongly drawn to the characters, the town, and most importantly, the stunning scenery that is in this movie.

The characters are likeable, if a bit quirky, and well cast. Each actor fits their character well.

Take the time to watch this. You won't regret it.

Beautiful, quiet, realistic storytelling

[itmeansflower · 9/10 · 23 February 2021]

What a pleasure. An unexpected find. It's a small story, but so real, you feel as if you're watching real life. The cast is simply excellent. This film (and it deserves the word FILM) weaves a spell as it draws you in. The land of South Dakota plays a character too and the cinematography is lovely. I already want to watch it again. But I think I'll let it marinate in my mind a while first. This is a story for grownups who can appreciate a tale that isn't in a hurry. Enjoy! P.S. I gave it a 9 only because I wished it were longer! I found myself wondering what ended up on the cutting room floor.

Very poignant. Well worth the watch.

[batata-21368 · 9/10 · 30 October 2020]

It was a slow start and I almost gave up on it, but glad I stuck with it. Set in 1950, it was charming, heartfelt and moved effortlessly thru a chapter in a young woman's life as she transitioned from a busy city life to a slower paced country life that was her former home, while trying to take care of her ill/dying mother. And this movie also points out the bias toward people with disabilities and how those with disabilities feel every day trying to navigate thru a life that the rest of us take for granted, without being preachy. Very poignant. Well worth the time to watch.

South Dakota Here I Come

[sjanders-86430 · 9/10 · 1 October 2020]

Rose returns to 50's era town in South Dakota to care for her ailing mother. She's been working in the big city. Slowly she becomes in love with James who is tall, dark, and handsome. The chemistry is there. Rose begins to learn to sign with James and soon discovers he brings a magical sense of the world to her. But he doesn't want to be told what to do. They break up and soon Rose's mother dies. Then James comes a courting. She tells him to close his eyes and imagine who would be there next to him. He signs two of us and more. Then the finale shows James' photography of the landscape. He loves the town. Rose gives him a kiss, and we know they will be happy in the town. The genius director LaVine saved this from smaltzy cliche. It is a charming love story well told and well acted.

Beautiful Film!!

[kathleenrose39-82-885577 · 10/10 · 21 October 2020]

Wow! I'm totally surprised. Phenomenal actors, excellent script/story and gorgeous cinematography. A sweet, beautiful gem. I grew up in Nebraska and I could feel the magic of the Prairie. Well done! 👏👏👏👏👏

A simple Haiku about the discovery of a whole different human world

[ricdesan · 9/10 · 23 November 2023]

Wild Prarie Rose harkens back to a simple grounded time where the discovery of ourselves and the world around us proceeds at a very deliberate pace. Director Deborah LaVine absolutely steeps us deep in the quiet charm of the open plain in a way that is so authentic as to be seamless.

It is in fact so good that even the natural cycle of life does little interrupt the spell and the human stories that flow around it. Even with such a deft touch if it wasn't for the nuanced and heartfelt work of Tara Samuel and Oscar winner Troy Kotsur this film would'nt have touched the viewer as deeply as it did.

What it does in the end is remind us whats important and beautiful about all the mundane around our lives and that we should never stop looking for all that's special in the least likely places.

And in this case the reward is a lasting and deeply connected romance.