It's a coming-of-age story set in Georgia during the Depression.
The film is based on a Southern family with some money, though the glory days seem to be fading. There is Daddy (Robert Duvall), Mother (Diane Ladd), 13-year-old Buddy (Lukas Haas/John Heard), 9-or 10-year old Dolly (Lisa Jakub), and 5- or 6-year=old Waski (Evan Lockwood). Mother graduated from Columbia University and is working on her M. A. in American History. She is pretty deaf and uses an early model of hearing aid. She brought the money into the family though she was an orphan at a young age. The hotel she inherited is run by Daddy, a true Southerner.
Into their lives comes Rose (Laura Dern), a 19-year-old woman who had a difficult childhood that is only described tangentially until near the end. Her past experiences have left minimal filters on her sexual life, which she appears to use to try to obtain love.
The film follows the struggles within the household, and the coming of age has to do with Buddy, who starts out as a brash, smartass eager to take advantage of this beautiful woman who has come into his house. In the end, this has turned into genuine affection. Mother, who is a feminist, understands and constantly defends Rose's erratic behavior. Daddy is uncertain how to deal with this young woman who embodies so much energy that continually gets her into trouble.
The movie is framed by an older Buddy who comes home 35 years later to visit his widowed father.
Laura Dern and her mother, Diane Ladd, were nominated for Academy Awards, but neither won. Lukas Haas will be remembered by many as the Amish boy who saw the murders in "Witness."
"Rambling Rose" was better than I expected. A few times, it teetered on the edge of exploitation but survived. I'll watch anything in which Robert Duvall has a significant role. When making the film, Lukas Haas, who was 14 or 15, plays the smirky young teen very well. Mother does seem a bit blind at times, but her instincts are correct.
The film is based on a Southern family with some money, though the glory days seem to be fading. There is Daddy (Robert Duvall), Mother (Diane Ladd), 13-year-old Buddy (Lukas Haas/John Heard), 9-or 10-year old Dolly (Lisa Jakub), and 5- or 6-year=old Waski (Evan Lockwood). Mother graduated from Columbia University and is working on her M. A. in American History. She is pretty deaf and uses an early model of hearing aid. She brought the money into the family though she was an orphan at a young age. The hotel she inherited is run by Daddy, a true Southerner.
Into their lives comes Rose (Laura Dern), a 19-year-old woman who had a difficult childhood that is only described tangentially until near the end. Her past experiences have left minimal filters on her sexual life, which she appears to use to try to obtain love.
The film follows the struggles within the household, and the coming of age has to do with Buddy, who starts out as a brash, smartass eager to take advantage of this beautiful woman who has come into his house. In the end, this has turned into genuine affection. Mother, who is a feminist, understands and constantly defends Rose's erratic behavior. Daddy is uncertain how to deal with this young woman who embodies so much energy that continually gets her into trouble.
The movie is framed by an older Buddy who comes home 35 years later to visit his widowed father.
Laura Dern and her mother, Diane Ladd, were nominated for Academy Awards, but neither won. Lukas Haas will be remembered by many as the Amish boy who saw the murders in "Witness."
"Rambling Rose" was better than I expected. A few times, it teetered on the edge of exploitation but survived. I'll watch anything in which Robert Duvall has a significant role. When making the film, Lukas Haas, who was 14 or 15, plays the smirky young teen very well. Mother does seem a bit blind at times, but her instincts are correct.