In the Deep South of the 1930s, Rose is taken in by the Hillyer family to serve as housemaid so that she can avoid falling into a life of prostitution. Her appearence and personality is such that all men fall for her, and she knows it. She can't help herself from getting into trouble with men.
Acting
Laura Dern and Diane Ladd—real-life mother-daughter magic.
Direction
Martha Coolidge navigates desire without exploitation.
Writing
The older Buddy's narration frames and complicates everything.
Director
Martha Coolidge
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Laura Dern and Diane Ladd became the first mother-daughter duo nominated for Oscars for the same film. They lost to different movies, because Hollywood loves irony.
The film sparked debates about whether it was feminist or exploitative—a tension it deliberately refuses to resolve. Rose's agency and victimhood coexist messily, which was radical for 1991.
US
