The Ballad of Jack and Rose is a 2005 drama film directed by Rebecca Miller, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Catherine Keener, Camilla Belle, and Ryan McDonald. The film explores themes of love, isolation, environmentalism, and parenthood.
Jack Slavin (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a single father who lives with his teenage daughter, Rose (Camilla Belle), on an isolated island off the East Coast of the United States. Jack is an environmentalist who fiercely opposes the plans of developers who want to build a housing development on nearby wetlands, which he believes would destroy the fragile ecosystem of the island.
Despite his passion for the environment, Jack's life is overshadowed by his failing health. He suffers from a heart condition that requires him to take medication and occasionally use an oxygen tank. Jack is also emotionally isolated and longs for human companionship.
One day, Jack invites his girlfriend, Kathleen (Catherine Keener), and her teenage sons, Rodney (Ryan McDonald) and Thaddius (Paul Dano), to move in with them on the island. Rose is initially reluctant to accept the newcomers, feeling that they will disrupt the quiet routine of her life with her father.
The arrival of Kathleen and her sons upsets the delicate balance of the household. Jack and Kathleen's relationship is strained, and tensions rise between Rose and Rodney, who begins to bully her. Meanwhile, Thaddius tries to find his place in the household, struggling with his own personal issues.
As the conflict between the characters intensifies, Jack's health deteriorates further, leading to a climactic confrontation that puts the future of the island and the Slavin family in jeopardy.
The Ballad of Jack and Rose is a quiet, introspective film that explores complex themes through its characters and their relationships. It features strong performances from its cast, particularly Daniel Day-Lewis, who delivers a nuanced portrayal of a man grappling with his own mortality and his responsibilities as a father and an environmentalist.
