Lucy Liu’s dramatic efficiency is a purpose to see “Rosemead,” a ruthless, typically punishing true-life drama.
Liu stars as Irene, a struggling mom whose teenage son, Joe (Lawrence Shou), has been performing bizarrely at school. Initially, some darkish moments from Joe’s previous seem like the wrongdoer, as revealed in household remedy periods.
We see how Joe’s curiosity at school shootings and notorious massacres turns into an obsession. Whereas Irene’s well being is declining, she dedicates her time to her son and strives to discover a method to cease his escalating conduct and presumably save him from himself.
Sadly, that is based mostly on a horrifying true story.
The lead performances by Liu and particularly Shou as her son are dramatically wealthy, however the story places us in a bizarre place – you both await one thing dangerous to occur or hope that somebody intervenes in time.
Along with how discomforting the premise is, it additionally presents Irene’s battle with most cancers. As a result of this can be a true story, I need to give the movie a break, as this can be a lot for one film. So is using photographs of real-life shooters.
Possibly discomforting is the fallacious phrase and queasy is the appropriate one.
Maybe I’m being oversensitive, however I can’t overlook the ick issue, not to mention the sensation of exploitation, when watching a film that’s all too completely satisfied to horrify us and little else. Having lived in Colorado when the Columbine Excessive College and Aurora movie show shootings occurred, it strikes me as dangerous style to have a film bringing us this up, except you could have a damned good purpose outdoors of shock worth.
I don’t need to see one other picture of the monster who shot up that Aurora, Colorado movie show once more, not to mention in a movie show, along with the portrait of a person obsessive about college shooters, whereas his mother is attempting to cover her most cancers analysis. Even Lars von Trier is aware of when to make us cease yelling “Uncle!”
Minor spoiler forward that ought to come as no shock: the ending may be very onerous to take. I don’t imply that as a dare, the best way I’d write a few shocker ending of a horror film or a giant twist in a suspense thriller. No, the ending of “Rosemead” intends to intestine punch us and succeeds.
The performances are admirable throughout, however the movie generates suspense over whether or not one of many fundamental characters will change into a faculty shooter. Does this sound like a film you need to see, not to mention one we’d like?
Regardless of the intentions of the filmmakers have been, part of me refuses to miss how icky and manipulative “Rosemead” feels. I wasn’t a fan of Gus Van Sant’s “Elephant” (2003), both, regardless of the vital acclaim and reception on the Cannes Movie Competition.
A be aware to the filmmakers: diving headfirst into human muck isn’t the identical factor as correctly exploring it, not to mention explaining it and offering crucial perception. This doesn’t play like a cautionary story however a grim reenactment of a horrible incident.
Fortunately, it’s nearer to “’night time Mom” (1986) than “We Must Speak About Kevin” (2011). Nonetheless, “Rosemead” wallows in ugliness and, in a matter-of-fact method, dishes out tragedy, with out providing a lot perspective.
If “Rosemead” results in precious post-screening conversations about its uncomfortable subject material, then the movie may have carried out its job. I applaud the actors, however hope to by no means see this one once more.
Two Stars
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