Noblezada
Film critics have given mixed reviews to the musical drama Yellow Rose but praise for its lead, two-time Tony nominee Eva Noblezada, who makes her film debut as “a Filipina teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer, while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known.” The cast also includes Lea Salonga (aunt Gail), Princess Punzalan (mom Priscilla), Dale Watson (playing himself), Gustavo Gomez (Jose), Libby Villari (Jolene), and Liam Booth (Elliott). The creative team includes Diane Paragas (direction), Annie Howell and Celena Cipriaso (screenplay), Andy Bienen (story), Christopher H. Knight (music), August Thurmer (cinematography), and Taylor Levy and Liron Reiter (editing).
AP (Jake Coyle): It’s part a Star Is Born-styled coming-of-age tale, part immigrant nightmare. That makes for an often moving, sometimes clunky take on the modern American musical. … The heart of Yellow Rose is true, a testament to Noblezada’s strong presence and her ability to belt the film’s original songs. … Yellow Rose sings an affecting, sorrowful and defiant song where dreams collide with a cruel reality. 2 1/2 stars out of 4.
Houston Chronicle (Cary Darling): Yellow Rose tells a familiar story but does it in a wonderfully unfamiliar and regionally specific way. Director/co-writer Diane Paragas takes what could be a cliché … and puts it in a contemporary Texas setting where worlds and cultures collide. The result is a sweetly earnest character study and coming-of-age tale that’s impressive because of its low-key authenticity. 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Indie Wire (Kate Erbland): Noblezada offers a well-honed performance that befits this intimate indie, and even when shy Rose starts breaking out behind the mic, the actress always remembers that performing does not naturally come to her character. … When Rose takes the stage for her first big performance, the film ends with a firm nod to her future: Rose is just getting started, and we’re all lucky to be there from the start. Grade: B
RogerEbert.com (Carlos Aguilar): Some of the messaging and most dramatic beats (a second ICE raid) suffer from heavy-handedness, but there are still admirable choices among the crowded landscape of Yellow Rose. … A bona fide star making her film debut, Noblezada beckons our attention with a turn of grave distress and charming effervescence. Her presence salvages the movie from its own stiltedness on multiple occasions. 2 1/2 stars out of 4.
The Wrap (Alonso Duralde): Yellow Rose checks off a lot of boxes as a coming-of-age, artist-finds-her-voice story, but all of this would resonate so much more if, say, we knew anything about Rose beyond her desire to make music or if there were any sense of a larger Filipino community around her. … Even with such an underwritten character, Noblezada finds grace notes and moments of specificity to Rose.