Reel Movies: The Ballad of Jack & Rose

Director: Rebecca Miller

Writer: Rebecca Miller

Cast: Camilla Belle ...  Rose Slavin, Daniel Day-Lewis ...  Jack Slavin , Catherine Keener ...  Kathleen, Ryan McDonald ...  Rodney, Paul Dano ...  Thaddius

Summary:

    The Ballad of Jack and Rose is the story of a daughter (Camilla Belle) living with her father (Daniel Day-Lewis), who is dying of heart complications. The movie takes place in 1986 on an abandoned  island commune where Jack and Rose live. Jack, knowing that he is very ill, invites his girlfriend (Catherine Keener) to come take care of him and to act as a mother to Rose. When Kathleen comes to the commune with her two sons (Ryan McDonald and Paul Dano-- my personal favorite actor), Rose feels betrayed by her father, the only person she has ever loved or lived with. Rose tries to do everything to get back at her father and to get Kathleen and her family away from her. Rose begins to act wild and creates chaos in the household.

Review:

    The movie is very interesting. Jack and Rose have a bond unlike any other father-daughter  relationship I have ever seen in a movie. This movie is one that shows some disturbing things that other films won't dare include in their story line.The cast as a whole was very good. Daniel Day-Lewis, who never fails to impress, delivers a strong performance as Rose's caring yet harsh father. Camilla Belle, who I normally don't like, actually gave a good performance as a naive girl who longed for her father to be there for her always. I recommend this to anyone who likes dramas that aren't afraid to break barriers and touch upon very different subjects. I'll give this a 6/10.

--D.