by Shane Conto
Will we be getting a new “(insert adjective) Rose” film about a young woman who wants to play country music each year from now on? If they are the same quality as they have been so far, I definitely would not be opposed. Last year we got a Wild Rose, which featured a breakout performance from Jessie Buckley as she proved that a Scottish girl could be a country music star. But now, cinephiles all over get the privilege of seeing Yellow Rose, which meets the same quality with a shift to Texas and a change to a young Filipina girl. Add in some relevant and poignant commentary on America’s immigration system and you get quite the little gem. With limited blockbusters out there, independent films like this get to get more attention and become more accessible to audience.
This just might be one of the best of the best this year so far.
What does a little film like this need to be successful? A passionate and committed director is certainly a great start. Diane Paragas makes her feature film directorial debut with Yellow Rose and shows a deft hand. This film tries to balance the deep and traumatic aspects of our immigration system with a love story and the story of an aspiring musical artist. This is quite a bit to balance. But Paragas’ directorial effort is able to balance these different tones and different perspectives. One of the trickier feats is nailing some extremely heavy scenes that center around our main character’s mother getting deported and ICE chasing after her. One particular scene works just as well as any thriller out there as young Rose tries to evade ICE agents in a closed bar. Paragas is able to pack plenty of emotion throughout this film and is able to capture a moving charm that leaves the audience hopeful and touched.
This story is quite dynamic and delivers a bit of everything for its audience.
Paragas also leads the way with her fellow writers to put this story into words. Rose is a strong and empathetic protagonist making her a perfect conduit for viewers to follow on this journey. All she wants to do is fall for a boy, go out to have fun square-dancing, and channeling her country music. What is not to like? But, this story quickly takes a serious turn when immigration agents come to take her mother away. She is forced to grow-up fast and faces the fear of being on the run and not knowing where to put her faith in. As she goes from home to home, parental figure to parental figure, Rose must make one tough decision after another.
This roller coaster ride of a story is filled with emotional moments, touching human connections, and a group of memorable supporting characters.
Have you seen the story beats before in different films? You definitely have. But what sets this apart? The unique combinations of these aspects together feel fresh and poignant. The journey that we see Rose go on from just a regular kid to a girl on the run to aspiring artist is heartwarming and I felt like I couldn’t turn away. The only real weak thread I felt in the script is her friend/love interest. He is not the most developed of characters, but in the end, there is so many great aspects that I didn’t think too much about it.
One big similarity that I can point out that links this to Wild Rose is the fact that they are both vehicles for fantastic and star-making performances from their leads.
Eva Noblezada is a revelation as Rose. Her voice is beautiful and moving. The performance she gives is believable and earnest. With a film like this, a young actor can fall into the pitfalls of trying too hard to seem mature. Noblezada is able to feel her age and make decisions as an actor that are realistic and fits well in the struggle that her character must face. Lea Salonga also delivers a moving performance as Rose’s mother who must endure the harsh realities of incarceration as an undocumented immigrant. One of the big surprises of the film is the genuine performance that country star Dale Watson gives as Rose’s new father figure and mentor in the ways of musical artistry.
But with all of this praise, one question remains…does it deserve it?
Yellow Rose is a unique perspective from a talented writer-director who backs that perspective. You will laugh, cry, and face some frustration and anger for what you see on screen. You will also be inspired by the beautiful music of our protagonist. This film gives you so much in such a small and modest package. That screams something special and worth seeing, right?
Grade: A-