The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005)

A father and daughter isolated on an island off the East Coast and living on a once-thriving commune grapple with the limits of family and sexuality.

Director:

Rebecca Miller

Writer:

Rebecca Miller

Stars:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Catherine Keener, Camilla Belle

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Camilla Belle	...	Rose Slavin
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Jack Slavin
Catherine Keener	...	Kathleen
Ryan McDonald	...	Rodney
Paul Dano	...	Thaddius
Jason Lee	...	Gray
Jena Malone	...	Red Berry
Beau Bridges	...	Marty Rance
Susanna Thompson	...	Miriam Rance

Storyline

1986. Jack Slavin, an engineer by trade, and his mid-teen daughter Rose Slavin live in virtual isolation on what was once a commune that Jack and a group of others built in 1968 on sparsely populated Marsh Island off the U.S. east coast. Rose's mother abandoned them when Rose was five. Jack has passed to Rose a sense of ecological preservation, placing them at odds with Marty Rance, who is building a housing complex on the island on a wetlands. They are able to live this life on the commune property in their ecological bliss due to a sizable inheritance, Jack who will occasionally take out his checkbook in order to solve whatever problem he may be facing. Jack also took Rose out of school when she was eleven as he didn't believe in what the traditional school system was teaching. Their quiet life together is threatened by the fact that Jack has a heart condition which will probably kill him sooner than later. Wanting to ensure that Rose is taken care of after his passing, Jack makes ...

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Plot Keywords:

commune | environmentalism | obese | wetland | virginity | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, sexual content and some drug material

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rose and the Snake

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$59,459, 27 March 2005

Gross USA:

$712,275

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$916,051

Company Credits

Production Co:

IFC Productions, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG), Elevation Filmworks

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Daniel Day-Lewis took the role as his wife, Rebecca Miller, was the writer and director. In preparation for the role he spent as much time as he could away from her.

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Goofs

Although this movie takes place in the United States, when jack and rose go to the main land a Canadian Tire store is visible from their car.

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Quotes

Jack Slavin: I swear, I solemnly believe that humanity is now officially descending a ladder of evolution. In a thousand years, human beings will be the size of gerbils, and they'll have one thought a year, in December. They'll think about what they want for Christmas.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to the people of Souris, Eastern Kings and Charlottetown, P.E.I..

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Connections

References The Brady Bunch (1969)

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Soundtracks

Coolidge Rising
(1969)
Written and Performed by Leo Kottke
Courtesy of Takoma Records/Fantasy, Inc.

User Reviews

Lovely and heartbreaking

There's nothing more exciting than seeing quality work come from a group of unknowns. While Daniel Day Lewis and Catherine Keener are the marquee name anchors for the film the most delightful surprises come from Camilla Bell and Ryan McDonald who give honest and often very mature performances. McDonald in particular has a knack for off-beat humor and gets some of the best lines in the film. Given the gorgeous setting, the beautiful cinematography and the high caliber writing I can't think of a better film I've seen so far this year. The movie is not without its flaws, but they're minimal in relation to all the elements that are wonderfully right.