Families come in many shapes and sizes. Each unit is unique, with a complex mix of inter-dependent relationships and hard-won power dynamics. It’s natural in larger broods for people to slip into certain roles over time. There’s normally a dominant force. A patriarch or matriarch and then a range from submissive to controlling and everything in-between. There’s often someone who shoulders a disproportionate amount of the burden. This is the case in Rosa’s Wedding.
Hard-working seamstress Rosa (Candela Peña) is the lynchpin of her family. After the death of their mother, she’s the one who keeps an eye on dad (Ramón Barea). Her sister (Nathalie Poza) is far too busy with her career. Her brother (Sergi López) is fully focussed on growing his business despite having two kids to look after. Whilst daughter (Paula Usero) Lidia lives in Manchester with her young family. When Rosa’s father decides he wants to move in, she decides enough is enough.
Rosa’s Wedding is a smart and sexy comedy drama which starts off at breakneck speed and never really lets up. Whilst Peña excels as the increasingly frustrated Rosa, it’s very much an ensemble affair. The cast bounce and thrive off each other. Whilst the story is slight, it’s this chemistry which makes Icíar Bollaín’s film so eminently watchable. Rosa’s Wedding is the kind of light-hearted entertainment which is so rare nowadays.
Rosa’s Wedding screens at Glasgow Film Festival.
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