Rambling Rose (film)

Rambling Rose is a 1991 American drama film directed by Martha Coolidge and starring Laura Dern, Robert Duvall, Diane Ladd, and Lukas Haas. The screenplay, written by Calder Willingham, is based on his 1972 novel of the same name, which was itself inspired by a real-life young woman who worked as a maid for his family in the 1930s.

The film tells the story of Rose (Dern), a young and sexually liberated woman who is taken in by the Hillyer family in Depression-era Georgia. The Hillyers, consisting of Father (Duvall), Mother (Ladd), and their children, offer Rose a job as a maid. Rose's naive and uninhibited nature creates both charm and chaos within the household and the surrounding community. Her lack of social boundaries and her open sexuality lead to a series of dramatic and often humorous incidents.

The film explores themes of sexuality, innocence, acceptance, and the challenges of societal expectations. It is told through the perspective of Buddy Hillyer (Haas), the family's young son, who is initially fascinated and later becomes protective of Rose. Rambling Rose received critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of Dern, Duvall, and Ladd, all of whom were nominated for Academy Awards. Dern was nominated for Best Actress, while Duvall and Ladd were nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.