Quick Info
Wild Rose is a gem of a movie that follows a young Glasgow woman (played by Jessie Buckley) who dreams of making it as a country music star all the way in Nashville. The story isn’t just about music, though—it’s also about motherhood, personal ambition, and dealing with your past. What makes it stand out is how gritty and authentic it feels. You can almost smell the rain-soaked streets of Glasgow alongside the neon promise of Nashville.
Jessie Buckley is really the heart of the film. She manages to sell every complicated emotion—hope, guilt, defiance, and joy—without ever hamming it up. Her singing voice is honestly incredible, too; the songs are performed live, giving some electric, raw moments that really stick with you. The supporting cast, especially Julie Walters as her mum, brings a lot of warmth and conflict that feels real and earned.
One thing that didn’t fully land for me was the rushed pacing near the end. It felt like the story was building to something grand and then had to squeeze the payoff into too short a window. But the movie never loses sight of its heart. Some plot beats are familiar, but the setting and performances make them feel fresh.
The way the film is shot is also beautiful—there's a lived-in, unfussy look to everything, with muted colors that reflect the lead character’s struggles and occasional bright bursts when the music takes flight. The live musical performances are shot in a way that puts you right in front of the stage with her, making you root for Rose even more.
You would enjoy this if you love character-driven stories about chasing big dreams, especially if you like music movies that don’t sugarcoat reality. There’s a little bit of Once and a bit of Billy Elliot, if you’re a fan of those. It’s one of those movies where you end up rooting for someone flawed, and just maybe cheering up whenever she sings.
