The ending threw me off. Did not see that coming. Quite a weird film. Intriguing. Worth a watch.
17 Reviews
What is up with that ending?
antrikshnarang-439-89055830 March 2021
Irish Drama
billcr1221 March 2021
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.
Slow dark and depressing!
Just-A-Girl-144 June 2022
I didn't like it. The movie is too slow, dark and depressing and the main lead (Ann Skelly) is too dramatic and disconnected. I couldn't feel it, couldn't relate to her character. Orla Brady Aidan Gillen were good but the film is too slow. There's not enough character development to let the audience feel the process of shock, pain and anger.
The ending is also very confusing. It seems he kept doing it but yet he felt guilty enough to not fight back. Strange movie. What was the point of it? What conclusions are we supposed to reach after watching it? I can't say I liked it.
I also did not like the animal scenes. First because it was obvious where they were going with it and second because there was no need for it. Why did they show us that? The scene with the cow was absolutely gruesome! I felt more sorry for the animals then for the characters. Luckily there's a "no animal were harmed" in the credits but I still think it was completely unnecessary.
The ending is also very confusing. It seems he kept doing it but yet he felt guilty enough to not fight back. Strange movie. What was the point of it? What conclusions are we supposed to reach after watching it? I can't say I liked it.
I also did not like the animal scenes. First because it was obvious where they were going with it and second because there was no need for it. Why did they show us that? The scene with the cow was absolutely gruesome! I felt more sorry for the animals then for the characters. Luckily there's a "no animal were harmed" in the credits but I still think it was completely unnecessary.
Class
thechair15 September 2021
Popped along to the cinema to see this as it was only £5. There were six people in there. What a shame because this is excellent! It's a film that keeps you perpetually off balance. The acting is top notch, the score mesmerising and haunting, and everything else about it exudes quality and skill.
The tone and subject matter are dark so don't expect much in the way of jollity, but it is always waiting to thrill you with a look, a frame, an unexpected turn of events. A real treat. I look forward to what the directors do next.
The tone and subject matter are dark so don't expect much in the way of jollity, but it is always waiting to thrill you with a look, a frame, an unexpected turn of events. A real treat. I look forward to what the directors do next.
Compelling & rewarding
Listsandwalls7 January 2022
Well-crafted drama thriller. The acting is all-around stellar.
The twists were actual twists that I didn't see coming. I was a little worried there would be too many, and they'd just be twists for the sake of twists. But I think they were all beneficial. Their pacing was intelligently embedded in the plot and characters.
Excellent ending, too. I started off sarcastically thinking "way to be human" of Orla Brady's character. Then, ended up thinking "way to be human" of her character, but with all sincerity.
The twists were actual twists that I didn't see coming. I was a little worried there would be too many, and they'd just be twists for the sake of twists. But I think they were all beneficial. Their pacing was intelligently embedded in the plot and characters.
Excellent ending, too. I started off sarcastically thinking "way to be human" of Orla Brady's character. Then, ended up thinking "way to be human" of her character, but with all sincerity.
Too slow, Too long
esonique-6781620 September 2021
It was good in the beginning when it builds all the expectations but it does not pull it through as it progresses the end. There is some feminist sense of revenge but the ending is not convincing. The dialogues are weak and is not needed in many places. Could be watched on mute.
one of a kind
sophia5510 July 2020
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.
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.
Never gets out of 1st gear
pompey23105 June 2021
The run time maybe 1:40 but you will think it's double that. This seems to play at half speed with unnecessary pauses and silences throughout. The acting was fine but the plot predictable and unimaginative. The concensus of the group watching was the same. The pace of film ruined it completely. Sorry but I couldn't recommend this at all. How some reviews give this a 10 is beyond credibility.
the exact opposite of whimsical
Roogatsby5 September 2021
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.
Really powerful
Gordon-1124 April 2021
Rose Plays Julie is a slow but atmospheric Irish drama film
bazookamouth-221-89809730 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
So you have adopted Rose who starts looking for her biological mum after her adopted mum passes away who hadn't looked for her in the previous years. So she contacts her actress birth mum with ease and somehow has her mobile number and even starts showing up around her set and the birth mom recognises her in an instant (after 20 years) Then it continues with the birth mum giving all info up after meeting her in minutes including the rape and rapist who is a celebrity archeologist. (Do they exist Celeb Archeologists?)
So next Rose infiltrates archeological dig led by Peter, wearing a black wig over her red hair (I have no idea why) so later on there is a showdown where Rose decides to go to Peter's house to murder (her rapist father) with a syringe of animal drugs and his intention is to rape her (his daughter). It doesn't seem to bother Rose that she is committing murder and she will give up her life and serve a long sentence in prison but thats fine it seems. Anyway its a failure as the deadly syringe gets broken in a scuffle and Peter gets bonked on the head but survives but knows who she is.
Later on in the movie In steps birth mom Ellen who meets Peter who finishes the job for Rose at the golf course where she was raped all those years by injecting him with the deadly drug. Seemingly sleazebag Peter is fine with being murdered and accepts it. So Ellen is completely at ease with committing murder and going to prison for the rest of her life for the daughter she hadn't bothered with since birth and effectively ruining the life of her other 16 y/o daughter after her mom goes to jail
All in all I didn't buy it at all, the actions of the characters and how quickly in which it all moved. What I did like however was the atmospheric nature of the movie, the lead actress Rose (Ann Skelly) and the eerie movie score which at times reminded me of the Shining. Aidan Gillen as Peter everytime I see him I see Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish from Game of Thrones. I wouldn't recommend this, its to slow and the story is ridiclous.
So next Rose infiltrates archeological dig led by Peter, wearing a black wig over her red hair (I have no idea why) so later on there is a showdown where Rose decides to go to Peter's house to murder (her rapist father) with a syringe of animal drugs and his intention is to rape her (his daughter). It doesn't seem to bother Rose that she is committing murder and she will give up her life and serve a long sentence in prison but thats fine it seems. Anyway its a failure as the deadly syringe gets broken in a scuffle and Peter gets bonked on the head but survives but knows who she is.
Later on in the movie In steps birth mom Ellen who meets Peter who finishes the job for Rose at the golf course where she was raped all those years by injecting him with the deadly drug. Seemingly sleazebag Peter is fine with being murdered and accepts it. So Ellen is completely at ease with committing murder and going to prison for the rest of her life for the daughter she hadn't bothered with since birth and effectively ruining the life of her other 16 y/o daughter after her mom goes to jail
All in all I didn't buy it at all, the actions of the characters and how quickly in which it all moved. What I did like however was the atmospheric nature of the movie, the lead actress Rose (Ann Skelly) and the eerie movie score which at times reminded me of the Shining. Aidan Gillen as Peter everytime I see him I see Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish from Game of Thrones. I wouldn't recommend this, its to slow and the story is ridiclous.
This Made Me Want to Become a Vengeance Goddess
theladyontheline21 September 2021
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.
Then yeah, you've found your movie.
Torturous
flyingthor26 September 2021
So dull and bleak, not just the story, the acting too. Dull acting, reciting bleak lines as if they were reading from the script while doing it, and a wholly depressing story that paints all men as *pick your insult*.
As an Irish citizen I sincerely hope Irish tax payers money did not subsidise this. Meh.
(Given an extra star for having authentic Irish accents, but rarely do you hear them sound so depressed...and depressing...unreal)
As an Irish citizen I sincerely hope Irish tax payers money did not subsidise this. Meh.
(Given an extra star for having authentic Irish accents, but rarely do you hear them sound so depressed...and depressing...unreal)
Are you sure you know who you are?
ANDYDUNNE112 March 2020
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.
Didn't expect
ks-605005 April 2021
Intense and Unexpected
saesau29 November 2020
Dialogue is Important
westsideschl22 September 2021
DVD lacked subtitles for the elderly, disabled, hearing impaired, and ESL viewers. Disrespectful & cheap on the part of the producers especially when audio & enunciation is poor made worse with varying British dialects.
Very slow moving made even worse with lots of film time filled with slow panning camera views of essentially nothing of plot significance. Cheap atmosphere trick. Storyline semi-captivating with a different hook based on male extreme behavior seeking sex.
Not the smartest dialogue one can find. Said a lot: "Can I ask you something?" Duh, you just did.
Very slow moving made even worse with lots of film time filled with slow panning camera views of essentially nothing of plot significance. Cheap atmosphere trick. Storyline semi-captivating with a different hook based on male extreme behavior seeking sex.
Not the smartest dialogue one can find. Said a lot: "Can I ask you something?" Duh, you just did.
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