Verdict
Summary
A fairly simplistic slice-of-life melodrama with a needlessly nihilistic ending, Rosa la Rose is ultimately a depressing and pretty graphic depiction of a very pretty prostitute’s day-to-day life, with an obviously very attractive young woman in the center. Basler is able to portray this character quite well, but unfortunately the ending takes a wild turn for the worse with a gnarly and somewhat shocking final scene that tries to be Shakespearian, though it ends up feeling more like a French attempt to make a point rather than having the story make sense. It’s too bad because the rest of the movie weaves a little spell that captures the heart.
Plot:
A very pretty Parisian prostitute tries to leave the life.
Review:
On the streets of Paris, working girls take on all comers, and the reputation of one such prostitute named Rosa (Marianne Basler) is renown because she’s gorgeous and young, and she does anything her clients ask of her. The more seasoned girls on the streets don’t resent her, though they normally might, but because Rosa is such a good-hearted girl and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, she’s beloved by all. When she’s at a big party hosted by her pimp (who really does care for her), she locks eyes with a painter working on the building, and suddenly, her life and entire perspective on her line of work changes. When the guy, named Julien (Pierre Cosso), eventually works up the nerve to pay for her favors for a night, their encounter has a nearly cosmic effect on them both and they realize that one night could never be enough … because they connect on a deep level that is cataclysmic. Rosa begins to contemplate quitting her line of work, which would have major repercussions for her pimp and for herself if she were to seriously consider being with this poor working class man who loves her.
A fairly simplistic slice-of-life melodrama with a needlessly nihilistic ending, Rosa la Rose is ultimately a depressing and pretty graphic depiction of a very pretty prostitute’s day-to-day life, with an obviously very attractive young woman in the center. Basler is able to portray this character quite well, but unfortunately the ending takes a wild turn for the worse with a gnarly and somewhat shocking final scene that tries to be Shakespearian, though it ends up feeling more like a French attempt to make a point rather than having the story make sense. It’s too bad because the rest of the movie weaves a little spell that captures the heart. From director Paul Vecchiali.
Radiance brings Rosa la Rose to Blu-ray for the first time in North America, and while the movie has mostly remained unseen outside of France until now, the film is treated as a classic here with a beautiful 2K transfer with some choice bonus material and a booklet with an essay. This release is up to the high standards Radiance usually puts forth, and it feels like a Criterion release.
Bonus Materials
- 2K restoration approved by Paul Vecchiali
- Original uncompressed PCM mono audio
- Interview with critic David Jenkins (2025)
- Archival interview with director Paul Vecchiali (1985)
- Archival interview with actors Marianne Basler and Jean Sorel (1985)
- Newly improved English subtitle translation
- Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original promotional materials
- Limited edition booklet featuring archival interviews and new writing by Marina Ashioti
- Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
