Rambling Rose

R

Released Sep 20, 1991

1 hr. 55 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

100%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the Great Depression, a Southern family hires the domestic services of Rose (Laura Dern), a damaged woman who hopes to avoid prostitution as a way of life. While in the employ of the household, Rose begins to develop feelings for the father of the family (Robert Duvall), who must continually rebuff her unwanted sexual advances. Meanwhile, Rose also develops a relationship with the 13-year-old son, Buddy (Lukas Haas). Eventually the father begins to reach the limits of his tolerance.

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Critics Consensus

A touching. bittersweet, and wonderfully-acted film.

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Alec B

Dern is great. However, the movie attempts to be a straightforward character study but that is undermined by it's consistent tone problems.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Robert Duvall and Laura Dern carry this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The story of a girl (Rose) who is brought to work as maid at a family's home. She's never called maid because the mother in the family doesn't like that term. The story unfolds in varied directions, but soon Rose becomes more of a troublesome daughter in the family. The family themselves are not boring, the mother being the most quirky but also insightful. Their relationships within one another and with Rose are shown at a very intimate level. I am not sure that the choice of having the story told retrospectively as the son reminisces about Rose was a good one. The ending is abrupt. It's like a sweet grandmother is telling you a story, with all the sweet details, but suddenly realizes it is past your bed time and has to rush. We don't have time to tell you more, so let's end here. It's not only rushed, but also contrived. In any case I think the story that we are told is rich enough to be captivating.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

jon c

A rose has its thorns but it can be also rambling causing a ruckus in everyone's lives Director Martha Coolidge and producer Renny Harlin lead John Heard, Laura Dern, Robert Duvall, Diane Ladd, and Lukas Haas Starting in Georgia 1971 Heard is Willcox Hillyer, he drives back to his childhood home and recalls a particular woman visiting him at 13 years old This woman's name is Rose Taking place during the Great Depression Rose is a woman who doesn't want to resort to prostitution so she lives with this boy's family for domestic service The father of the household named Daddy tries repeatedly to thwart off Rose's advances Buddy starts developing a strong bond with her too But how much longer can Daddy put up with Rose's antics? This is a nice family drama of one woman drastically changing these peoples lives Even sad at times to see what Rose is actually going through emotionally and psychologically Daddy's wife is also the voice of reason asking him over and over to look back at his kindness and selflessness This woman is the eye of Buddy's affection but also might be the way to be wiser and mature Women don't want sex, they want love, we can use much guidance even if we don't look for it, turning our life around is what we need to better ourselves This is touching, bittersweet, and very-well acted with emotional music as well as a good historical authenticity Also raises poignant questions about sex and love for coming-of-age This has to be one of Laura Dern and Robert Duvall's finest roles I gotta say

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

As far as I was concerned the emphasis was on the Rambling.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

robson t

Absolutely overrated

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Martha Coolidge

Director

Laura Dern

Rose

Robert Duvall

Daddy

Diane Ladd

Mother

Lukas Haas

Buddy

John Heard

Willcox Hillyer

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The intimate rhythms these two superb actors work up together capture a lifetime of marriage. Duvall and Ladd are the true heart and soul of Rambling Rose.

Feb 7, 2018

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

It's a beauty.

May 12, 2001

Full Review

Sean Burns

WBUR’s Arts & Culture

A much tougher movie than it might first appear from the gauzy, nostalgic trappings, dealing frankly with matters of sexual abuse and the means by which society empowers frightened men to inflict their wills upon women they find intimidating.

Mar 28, 2024

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

Rambling Rose, make no mistake, is absolutely a challenging film. An individual viewer’s reaction, depending on experience and sensitivity, might be quite different.

Feb 27, 2024

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

A film of incongruous luminosity and sweetness. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 4, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the Great Depression, a Southern family hires the domestic services of Rose (Laura Dern), a damaged woman who hopes to avoid prostitution as a way of life. While in the employ of the household, Rose begins to develop feelings for the father of the family (Robert Duvall), who must continually rebuff her unwanted sexual advances. Meanwhile, Rose also develops a relationship with the 13-year-old son, Buddy (Lukas Haas). Eventually the father begins to reach the limits of his tolerance.

Director: Martha Coolidge
Executive Producer: Edgar J. Scherick, Mario Kassar
Distributor: Pioneer Entertainment, Artisan Entertainment, New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 20, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.3M
Sound Mix: Surround

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