We Talk To The Stars And Director Of Rosie – This Month’s Must-Watch

It’s been described as one of the most powerful Irish movies in years, won acclaim both here and overseas, and seen praise lavished upon its writer, director, cast, and just about everyone else involved. Rosie is available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €4.99, and it’s no ordinary film – something clear to Sarah Greene from the second she laid eyes on it.

 

“It’s very rare that a script like this lands on your desk,” enthuses the Cork-born actress, whose other recent credits include roles in Dublin Oldschool and Black 47 (both available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €4.99). “I was completely taken by the story, because of how timely it is. It’s such a comment on the situation in Ireland at the moment.”

 

 

 

The film follows a young woman who, along with her partner John Paul and their four children, has found herself without a home. Screenwriter Roddy Doyle was compelled to put pen to paper after hearing a story on the radio, before director Paddy Breathnach was entrusted as the man to bring it to life on screen.

 

“Roddy wrote it in such a brilliant way,” Paddy says. “The decency and humanity comes out in small little micro-moments. There’s an accumulation of lines that you could easily think aren’t important, but combined they have a huge power. I think it really showed what a good writer he is, because you don’t really see it until it all comes together.”

 

The result is an emotional journey as Rosie and John Paul struggle to keep their heads above water. Though it takes place over just 36 hours, it’s full of tense moments and heartbreaking scenes – and those hoping for a happy-ever-after conclusion won’t find it here. 

 

“What took me as well was the ending,” Sarah says. “What happens to this family tomorrow? What does their day look like? And watching it, I think it has a big impact; there’s no glossy American ending here, and the hope that has carried through the whole film is starting to fracture and break down.”

 

That demonstration of human vulnerability was greatly appreciated by the the magnificent Moe Dunford, who plays John Paul. 

 

“You’re dealing with the people first and the problem second,” Moe explains. “Rosie and John Paul are real, everyday people. There’s so... much dignity in the characters, and what they do to maintain that dignity. They don’t think about what’s happening outside of their family unit because they don’t have the time. They couldn’t show any desperation because they couldn’t let the kids see it.”

  

There’s an old cliché about working with animals and children; how did the director manage it? Paddy grins; “You know, I was very worried going into it; we had a tight schedule and I thought it might put us under pressure. But not only did the kids not delay it once, but when everyone else saw how good they were – their performances, their energy, their positivity – we realised we’d have to raise our games to match! The kids made everything work better.”

 

 

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