Wildrose (1984)

Wildrose (1984)

“A woman has to listen to her own voice.”

Synopsis:
A female miner (Lisa Eichhorn) deals with chauvinism and lay-offs while falling tentatively in love with her co-worker (Tom Bower).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Feminism and Women’s Issues
  • Mining Towns
  • Romance
  • Unemployment
  • Workplace Drama

Review:
Writer/director John Hanson’s independent film about life in a northern mining town is nothing if not sincere, and tackles its serious subjects — blue collar work security, male chauvinism, and spousal abuse — with sensitivity. It’s refreshing to see an entire world so authentically portrayed; these people (including the leads) look like they belong in their setting. Unfortunately, the film’s documentary-like pacing doesn’t always jive with its dramatic arc, and certain crucial tensions are resolved far too neatly; however, there are enough scenes that work — including those depicting the sweetly unfolding romance between Bower and Eichhorn — to recommend this film for a single viewing.

Note: Wildrose bears many similarities to independent filmmaker Victor Nunez’s Ruby in Paradise (1993): both deal with blue-collar females struggling to maintain financial autonomy while making healthy choices about work and love.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Craggy-faced Tom Bower as June’s co-worker and lover
  • Many authentic scenes of blue-collar American life

Must See?
No, but it’s worth checking out once.

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One thought on “Wildrose (1984)

  1. First viewing. Not must-see.

    In general agreement with the assessment given; the pacing is occasionally sluggish. An extremely difficult film to locate.

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