Rosa la rose, fille publique Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Rosa la rose, fille publique Blu-ray Movie Review

Two and a half men and a babe.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 10, 2025

In what may actually be the first such instance in my reviewing life, and if I'm understanding some online data correctly, it looks like this frankly little remembered 1986 film is getting a slate of limited theatrical exhibitions as this Blu-ray is being released and this review is being written. The introduction on this disc by David Jenkins provides some interesting background information on both Rosa la rose, fille publique as well as its auteur, Paul Vecchiali, and Jenkins' suggestion that both the director and this particular film are ripe for reassessment may therefore be happening in more than one medium (or at least presentational format) simultaneously. Bill Maher recently went on a rant of sorts mentioning how many actresses through the years have been nominated for Academy Awards for playing prostitutes, and it may a good thing that Maher didn't forage out into other nation's award ceremonies, as he would have found numerous additional examples, including the César nominated performance of Marianne Basler as the titular Rosa in this film. Rosa is indeed a "working girl", one who despite her perhaps questionable "career choices", still seems to be peculiarly well adjusted to her lot in life. At least for a little while, anyway.

Rosa la rose, fille publique might seem like it's going to parlay a ménage à trois into traditionally melodramatic territory, which frankly the film does do, though it "ups the ante", or at least the number, by involving Rosa not just with her rather suave pimp Gilbert (Jean Sorel), and then with a day laborer named Julien (Pierre Cosso), but ultimately (in probably the film's most provocative element) a young boy named Laurent ( Laurent Lévy). Rosa's youth and vivacity makes her both a focus of admiration but also potential jealousy by some of the more "mature" women plying their wares on the streets, but the basic plot dynamics are really more substantially centered on Rosa colliding with "true love" while plying her wares. The film has an undeniably tragic trajectory that is perhaps slightly at odds with an almost Jacques Demy-esque portrayal of Parisian life (critic David Jenkins compares the film more to Jean Renoir, for what that's worth).

Rosa la rose, fille publique Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Rosa la rose, fille publique is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.66:1. Radiance's insert booklet offers the following minimal information on the transfer:

Rosa la rose, fille publique was restored in 2K and approved by director Paul Vecchiali. The film was supplied to Radiance Films as a digital file and is presented in its original aspect ratio.

This is an often stunning presentation, especially from a palette perspective, where elements like Rosa's bright (as in bright!) blue dress and fashionable red earrings and high heels offer almost eye popping suffusion at times. There are a few passing moments where I felt there was just a slight blue undertone to color temperatures, but on the whole this looks natural and offers some really appealing detail levels in both outdoor an interior environments. Fine detail on practical sets and costumes is typically excellent. Grain resolves without any issues.

Rosa la rose, fille publique Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Rosa la rose, fille publique features an expressive LPCM 2.0 Mono track that offers some nice ambient environmental effects in the many outdoor scenes, and even some interior ones (as in some crowd scenes in various establishments), while also providing ample support for Roland Vincent's score. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Rosa la rose, fille publique Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Paul Vecchiali (HD*; 4:39) is featured in this archival interview from 1986. Subtitled in English.


• Marianne Basler and Jean Sorel (HD*; 4:29) is another archival interview from 1986. Subtitled in English.


• David Jenkins (HD; 13:38) offers his thoughts on the film and Paul Vecchiali. This is accessible as a standalone supplement under the Special Features menu or under the Play Menu, where it's listed as an Introduction and is authored to lead directly into the main feature.

Radiance also provides their usual accoutrements, including an insert booklet with both new and archival writing, a reversible sleeve and an Obi strip.

*720

Rosa la rose, fille publique Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Anyone who's seen everything from Nights of Cabiria to Sweet Charity (and, yes, that's a bit of a joke) will know that "working girls" tend not to get their true loves, but Rosa la rose, fille publique takes that plot trope to much more tragic conclusions. Technical merits are solid and the supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.