Reactions to Rose

Rose achieved an overall appreciation score of 95.4%. The majority of members appreciated and enjoyed this portrayal of attitudes towards those with mental illness. Some of the comments submitted:

  • Great choice. Something in it for everybody. Thought provoking, humour, tension, tenderness, good story, great acting & location – all beautifully put together.
  • An outstanding and sensitive portrayal of attitudes towards those with severe mental illness.
  • Beautifully and sensitively acted, with moments of humour. It was a revelation.
  • Best film I’ve seen in quite a while. Dealt with a difficult subject sensitively and with appropriate humour.
  • Wonderful! Humorous and heartwarming, but also informative, evoking a sense of how it feels to be schizophrenic, as well as how it feels to be a carer, even if for a short time. Loved it. Thank you.
  • I am not convinced this was a realistic depiction of schizophrenia, despite the writer/director’s protestations. It would be better to see the central character as mentally challenged in a rather unspecific way. That would allow her humour, confidence and self-possession to be credible, and make the other bus passengers’ slightly predictable reactions more true. There was a lot of sentimentality too – the singing of La Vie en Rose did raise a tear, but was it necessary? Some great set pieces – the alarms going off at Les Invalides, the clever joke about mental illness at Arromanches, and the heart-rendingly awkward reunion with Jacques. The question hangs over the whole thing unanswered, though: why did her sister think it a good idea to take Inger to the scene of her trauma?!
  • Fabulous – A must see. Really tender dealing with schizophrenia, compassionate but occasionally screamingly funny!
  • The first 2 films were not as depressing as usual, have you change your selectors? This was a lovely film, with some very funny parts whilst highlighting the issue of mental illness.
  • A wealth of important issues dealt with rare sensitivity, respect and honesty. Excellent performances. The relationship between the 12 year old and the “mentally ill adult” is a powerful introduction to the taboos linked to mental illness. The behaviour of a so called normal adult in contrast showing serious problems also an interesting point. It was even a witty commentary on the media x people’s reaction to drama and loss. It was also very funny! Wonderful film for a group discussion. Thank you for showing it.
  • A potentially depressing film but left feeling strangely uplifted.
  • Absolutely loved this film. Tragic, cheeky and very humorous in turns. Compelling performance by Sofie Gråbøl. There didn’t seem to be a wasted scene in the whole film. As soon as I saw Soren Malling (from Borgen) on the bus I was even more optimistic about the film than I had been at the start. The central piano theme music added so much especially when it became evident that even after being reunited with Jacques and throwing away his letter on the shrine, Rose was not miraculously going to be cured.
  • Loved the film. It was heart warming and sad at the same time, but raises some important issues around mental illness. Brilliantly made, balancing comedy with the serious issues of acceptance, care and the cost of mental illness on all involved. A fantastic choice of film that I’ll be recommending to all my friends!
  • Excellent film particularly enjoyed how the young boy befriended and helped Rose against his Fathers wishes.
  • It was very funny in places, Thought provoking and very moving at other times. Thank you for choosing such an excellent film.
  • This is a beautiful film moving without being in any way sentimental. The story is convincing and surprising and often funny. It has a strong message without being didactic. The innocent boy is the key. Beautifully filmed and brilliantly acted. We loved it.
  • Engaging and entertaining film directed with a light touch (in spite of the film quite often stretching credibility) with strong central performance from Ms Gråbøl.
  • Engaging film for a difficult subject. The developing relationship between Inger and Christian was nicely done. Inger’s accident felt predictable though.
  • A subtle, thoughtful, sensitively directed and comically restrained piece that avoided most of the pitfalls the material might have offered.
  • Although a bit far fetched at time, it was a very moving performance by Sophie Gråbøl and one which showed just how miserable mental illness for the sufferer and those around them and allowed Inger’s humour and personality to show through.
  • It could have been made in Hollywood – good acting but pure shmaltz.