Movie Description
Writer-director Rebecca Miller's third film (following ANGELA and PERSONAL VELOCITY) is a powerful, poignant drama about a father and daughter living on their own on the outskirts of nowhere, just as developers are starting to move in. Daniel Day-Lewis (Miller's husband) stars as Jack Slavin, a 1960s holdover who is a man of the earth, working the land and defending his territory while eschewing such modernities as television. Jack is devoted to his daughter, Rose (Camilla Belle), a 16-year-old girl who is equally as devoted to him. But Jack is sick, so he asks his girlfriend, Kathleen (Catherine Keener), along with her two sons, Rodney (Ryan McDonald) and Thaddius (Paul Dano), to come from the mainland and move in with them, thinking they can be Rose's family once he dies. But Rose begins to act out in dangerous ways, threatening to severely damage the already fragile relationships that are developing. Day-Lewis gives a shattering, emotional performance as Jack, and he is matched well with Belle, who seems wise beyond her years. Filmed on location on Prince Edward Island, THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE is a harrowing, intimate film set in a beautiful, lush land.
This film screened at the 2005 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.
| Credits | | Producer: | Jonathan Sehring, Lemore Syvan | | Cast: | Catherine Keener, Jason Lee, Ryan McDonald, Susanna Thompson |
Editorial Reviews
"A hauntingly beautiful elegy for the loss of life and innocence..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (04/01/2005)
"[A]n absorbing experience."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (04/01/2005)
"Ellen Kuras' lush, nature-worshipping cinematography establishes a dreamy atmosphere at the film's start..."
Sight and Sound - Liese Spencer (04/01/2006)
3 stars out of 4 -- "A real curiosity....Never predictable."
Uncut - Chris Roberts (09/01/2006)
3 stars out of 5 -- "Beautifully shot and acted with an aching vulnerability....[The film] reaches both a tragic and cathartic conclusion."
Ultimate DVD - Natalie Braine (09/01/2006)
"The close encounters with this ragtag group crackle with humor, drama and suspense..."
Movieline's Hollywood Life - Stephen Farber (02/01/2005)
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