Synopsis
Something very strange is happening in Hollyweird…
In the 1950s, two rookie detectives as set out to solve a homicide, only to find themselves in an alternate reality made up of their worst nightmares.
The Blue Rose
2023 Directed by George Baron
Cast
Language
Releases by Date
Premiere
-
UK
Releases by Country
UK
27 Aug 2023
- Premiere
Popular reviews
More-
Frightfest 2023 London
World PremiereI’m not going to mention the L word despite the obvious comparisons. But if you mixed 85% Mulholland Drive with 15% Brick this is the result.
This is a bold and ambitious debut.
This film is absolutely beautiful. Every scene is a work of art. This film has been made by a director who cares about every detail.George Baron is excellent throughout (directing as well as acting), and Olivia Scott Welch absolutely owns every scene she appears in. She is a movie starlet already and could easily become A list.
-
Frightfest viewing #2
Tremendous production design and costumes throughout, with a majority of strong performances too. It’s an ambitious debut feature that leaves an impact, however, it does naturally have some flaws.
The Lynch influence is so apparent that it’s hard to tell if you’re seeing a new directors strong voice or an imitation, this is something that will become clearer in Baron’s future work though. The first half of the film sets up a very intriguing premise but I personally found the second half to be a bit overly indulgent and drawn out.
I think that considering this is a directorial debut though, an outstanding effort. There is obvious potential and I’m intrigued to see how their filmography develops from here…
-
Frightfest Film 18
Absolutely remarkable. All the more amazing considering the age of the writer/director/star.
-
In the Q&A the director told us not to be mean to them on Letterboxd and honestly I couldn’t - this was a great achievement, notwithstanding their young age. It looked beautiful, and was well directed and acted, HOWEVER at times it felt honestly like kawaii pastiche, with scenes ripped from Lynch’s filmography and given a 2023 makeover, with a lot of the oddness not adding much to the story and just being piled on for effect. Still, visually striking and an interesting new director to follow.
-
FOG FEST 2023
Wrestled with my opinions on this movie for a while but theres one word that comes to mind and you see constantly which is ambitious and it’s very true! For a debut film this took a lot of risks and definitely did not play it safe which I have so much respect for. I see great things in the future for George
Great venue and great people clearly working on this project the entire experience was such a blast (free drinks yessir)
-
"George Baron’s ‘rookie’ feature debut is a Fifties-set, overtly Lynchian LA nightmare noir where art seeds murder"
More at Projected Figures -
Frightfest '23 #4
I've sat with this film for a while, listening to some Instagram Lives from the director and their answering of questions and the extra respect I gained was immense.
Really looking forward to their next project after such a unique concept.
-
Impressively directed (especially for a film by a 17 year old!) and creepy with a unique narrative and a fun old fashioned tribute feel, though somewhat undone by a fairly messy second half that’s very hard to decipher. I do still hope to see what George Baron does next!
-
Frightfest 2023
A very strong debut feature which looks and feels lovingly influenced by Lynch and yet manages to be its own thing at the same time.
Loses its way a bit towards the end, but still a very enjoyable watch.
-
Two (impeccably styled) worlds collide - one a dreamy 50s-set noir, the other a lurid, red & neon blue-filtered, alt-universe nightmare - in George Baron’s remarkable, lovingly detailed directorial debut. Baron is only 18 yrs old, which blows my mind.
-
the only unrealistic thing on this movie was seeing a gay woman running away from a hot milf who wants to stab her. like????? id let norma do it, and id thank her.
-
