Wild Rose (2018)
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A single mother with a criminal record struggles to balance her musical ambitions with the responsibilities of motherhood.
The story
Rose-Lynn Harlan, an aspiring country singer and single mother from Glasgow, is released from prison after serving a year for a drug-related offense. Despite her mother's pleas to abandon her musical dreams for stability, Rose-Lynn seeks a way to pursue her passion. After securing a cleaning job at a wealthy woman's house, she manages to catch the attention of a radio presenter. She navigates the complexities of her criminal conviction and the demands of raising her two children while attempting to secure a performance opportunity that could launch her career toward Nashville.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Rose-Lynn Harlan, an aspiring country singer and single mother from Glasgow, is released from prison for throwing a package of heroin over a wall. Her mother, Marion, urges her to focus on her children, Wynonna and Lyle, rather than her music. Rose-Lynn takes a cleaning job for Susannah, whose children overhear her singing. After being denied money for a trip to Nashville by Susannah, Rose-Lynn contacts BBC Radio presenter Bob Harris, who encourages her to write her own songs. Rose-Lynn convinces a judge to lift her curfew to travel to London to meet him. Susannah eventually offers Rose-Lynn a gig at a house party to crowdfund her Nashville trip. However, Susannah's husband threatens to fire her due to her criminal record. On the night of the performance, Rose-Lynn's son Lyle breaks his arm, and Marion reluctantly watches him while Rose-Lynn goes to the party. On stage, Rose-Lynn breaks down, confesses her guilt and fears, and leaves. She later finds work as a waitress and focuses on her children. Eventually, Marion gives her the savings for Nashville. Rose-Lynn travels there, finds it difficult to get noticed, and after a brief moment on stage at the Ryman Auditorium, decides to return home. A year later, she performs an original song at Celtic Connections in Glasgow to a warm reception from her family and friends.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 101
- Production countries
- Canada; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tom Harper
- Writers
- Nicole Taylor · writer; Nicole Taylor · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Jessie Buckley · Rose-Lynn Harlan; Julie Walters · Marion; Sophie Okonedo · Susannah; Jamie Sives; Craig Parkinson; James Harkness; Janey Godley; Daisy Littlefield; Ryan Kerr; Adam Mitchell; Nicole Kerr
- Genres
- musical drama
- Themes
- motherhood; musical ambition; redemption; criminality
- Tone and mood
- dramatic; emotional
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; drama; biographical; independent
- Content notes
- language: English
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, with a consensus highlighting Jessie Buckley's transcendent performance.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 80 · scale: 100 · review count: 32
- Awards and nominations
- BAFTA Award · Best Actress in a Leading Role · nomination
- Production trivia
- A stage musical based on the film premiered in March 2025.; The film features cameo appearances from Kacey Musgraves, Ashley McBryde and Bob Harris.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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