Wildrose is a 1984 American independent drama film directed by John Hanson, produced by New Front Films, and distributed by Troma.[1] It stars Lisa Eichhorn and Tom Bower supported by a cast of largely nonprofessional actors, and is predominantly set and filmed in Minnesota's Iron Range.
| Wildrose | |
|---|---|
 Eichhorn as June Lorich | |
| Directed by | John Hanson |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | Sandra Schulberg |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Peter Stein |
| Edited by | Arthur Coburn |
| Music by |
|
Production company | New Front Films |
| Distributed by | Troma |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | < $1 million |
Plot
editRecently divorced from her abusive alcoholic husband (Stephen Yoakam), June's (Lisa Eichhorn) job as a miner in Minnesota's Mesabi Range becomes more challenging because of harassment from her male colleagues and a lack of support from her mother. She considers her independence, her family, and her future with fellow miner Rick (Tom Bower) as she develops a romantic relationship with him.[1][2][3]
Cast
edit- Lisa Eichhorn as June Lorich
- Tom Bower as Rick Ogaard
- Jim Cada as Pavich
- Cinda Jackson as Karen
- Dan Nemanick as Ricotti
- Lydia Olson as Katri Sippola
- Bill Schoppert as Timo Maki
- James Stowell as Doobie
- Stephen Yoakam as Billy
- Vienna Maki as Vienna Lorich
- Frankie Smoltz as Frank Lorich
- Clinton Maxwell as Chris Ogaard
- Ernest Tomatz as Nolan
- Marie Nelson as Marie Ogaard
- Father Frank Perkovich as himself[4]
Production
editThe film was shot on location in Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range, including town scenes in Eveleth. Other scenes were filmed in Bayfield, Wisconsin.[4]
It was made for under $1 million (equivalent to $2.93 million in 2023).[5]
Release and reception
editThe film was selected for the Museum of Modern Art's New Films/New Directors series,[4][6] and was a finalist for the Critics Prize at the Venice Film Festival.[6] Tom Bower was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.[7] It screened out of competition at the Berlin Film Festival[8] and at the Boston Film Festival.[9]
Ms. magazine called it "[as] visually rich as it is emotionally resonant."[10] The Los Angeles Times review wrote that the "small core of professional actors creates collides with the film's numerous self-conscious non-professionals, who inadvertently remind us that Eichhorn, Bower and others are, after all, 'acting' ... But the pluses outweigh the minuses."[1] Variety called Eichhorn's performance "moving, natural ... in a decidedly unglamorous role" and praised the camerawork as "extraordinary, vivid."[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Thomas, Kevin (November 7, 1985). "Movie Review: 'Wildrose': Love in Mining Country". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Wildrose". Metrograph. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022.
- ^ BAM
- ^ a b c Maslin, Janet (April 5, 1985). "'Wildrose' by Hanson". New York Times. p. 46. Archived from the original on November 28, 2017.
- ^ Anderson, Phil (November 1982). "Prairie Film Companion". American Film. p. 48.
- ^ a b Canton, Rolf J. (2007). "Directors". Behind the Cameras: Minnesotans in the Movies, Volume II. p. 38. ISBN 9781932472530.
- ^ Leslie, Roger (2008). Film Stars and Their Awards: Who Won What for Movies, Theater and Television. p. 36. ISBN 9780786440177.
- ^ a b "Pictures: Berlin Film Fest Reviews – Wildrose". Variety. Vol. 314, no. 7. Los Angeles. March 14, 1984. p. 24.
- ^ Carr, Jay (September 27, 1985). "'Wildrose' Is Rich and Rare". Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. p. 58.
- ^ McHenry, Susan (May 1985). "Media: Five One-of-a-Kind Films..." Ms. p. 53.
External links
edit- Wildrose at IMDb
- Wildrose at AllMovie
- Wildrose at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Wildrose at the TCM Movie Database
- Wildrose at the British Film Institute[better source needed]