‘Rosemead’ Review: Lucy Liu Plays a Desperate Mother in a Harrowing Portrait of the Asian American Mental Health Crisis

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In the town of Rosemead, Eric Lin constructs a poignant and somber tale about domestic seclusion and mental health within the Asian American community. This film, debuting at Tribeca, features Lucy Liu as Irene, a determined Chinese mother dealing with a life-threatening illness while confronting the harsh truths of her son’s deteriorating schizophrenia. Previously a star student and acclaimed swimmer at Rosemead High School, Joe (portrayed skillfully by Lawrence Shou) has been grappling with his mental struggles since the death of his father ignited his hidden psychological issues.

As a gamer, I found myself deeply moved by the heartfelt portrayal in the film Rosemead. This story, based on real events, delves into the complexities faced by many immigrant communities when it comes to mental health issues. The struggle is often twofold: not only do they grapple with societal rejection and misunderstanding, but also inadequate responses from the state. Rosemead brings these layers to life, offering a glimpse into a seldom-discussed aspect of American society. What makes this film particularly impactful is its intimate focus on a small California suburb over a few short weeks, and its skillful use of close-ups (cinematography by Lyle Vincent) that draw you in close to the characters’ struggles. This is a story worth telling, and Rosemead does it justice.

In a screenplay penned by Marilyn Fu, we find ourselves immersed in Irene’s hectic daily routine. Although her days weren’t previously as tense, the demise of Charles (portrayed by Orion Lee in flashbacks) has left Irene juggling the print shop and ensuring Joe’s medication is correctly administered without assistance. With little time to spare for herself, even her chemotherapy appointments must be kept secret from her son.

Liu adopts a less glamorous role, delving deep into a humble character portrayal. Instead of her usual stylish attire, Irene is dressed in baggy sweaters and loafers, designed by Vera Chow. Her hair is often pulled back carelessly into a ponytail. Liu’s commitment to embodying and comprehending Irene’s anxious state is evident in her performance. She accentuates the character’s proud and secretive qualities, while attempting an imperfect portrayal of a recent Chinese immigrant’s accent.

In the town of Rosemead, Irene consistently maintains that Joe is well, and it’s her longing for normalcy that keeps her trapped. Initially, author Lin delicately sets the pace of this mother’s daily routine. Upon our introduction to Irene, she’s collecting Joe from his regular therapy appointment. Dr. Hsu (James Chen), Joe’s therapist, urges her yet again to attend these meetings, suggesting that her attendance could boost Joe’s confidence in his healing journey, considering he’ll be turning 18 soon. However, Irene politely declines, asserting instead that Joe is regaining his old self.

However, it appears that Joe is struggling. He encounters difficulties at school, where he finds it hard to concentrate and instead spends his time sketching unsettling images in his notebooks. His friends, portrayed by Maidson Hu and Anzi DeBenedetto, make efforts to assist Joe by inviting him for outings beyond school hours and urging him to express his feelings, but Joe often prefers solitude.

Lin portrays Joe’s struggles with schizophrenia using quick, intense sequences. The jumpy editing style of Joseph Krings and the eerie music by Will Bates accentuate the terrifying nature of Joe’s inner world. Lin reinforces this depiction by showing Joe expressing doubts about his medication and fixating on school shootings. In his first feature film, Shou delivers a strong performance capturing the unpredictable emotions of a teenager fighting his own mind. He is especially convincing in scenes where Joe attempts to suppress visual and auditory hallucinations by recalling happy memories with his parents. During these instances, Shou emphasizes the character’s struggle through powerful physical expressions.

It would be helpful if Rosemead provided a clearer explanation about the degree and rationale behind Joe’s obsession with these tragedies. This clarification might have made the movie more effective in challenging the common misconception that schizophrenia or similar mental health issues lead to violent behavior. Despite Joe’s doctor continually emphasizing this point, there are aspects of Rosemead that lean too heavily on worn-out stereotypes about mental illness.

Rosemead effectively portrays how an environment shrouded in silence breeds fear. Lin presents instances where characters like Irene and Joe are subjected to criticism by their community members, as well as school officials who seem dismissive, attempting to offload responsibility onto others regarding Joe’s behavior. As Joe’s mental state worsens, Irene becomes aware that her son has stopped taking his medication. She uncovers signs of his fixation on school shootings and struggles silently but intensely to manage the situation.

In this part, Lin introduces a twist by incorporating suspenseful aspects to intensify the situation. Irene is in a rush to prevent any harm coming from her son, all while hiding his deteriorating health from her confidant Eleven Lee. Her actions, though heart-wrenching, become increasingly alarming. The narrative, which initially presented a tender portrayal of a mother and child, now takes a chilling turn, transforming into an intense exploration of a woman’s psychological struggle as she believes herself to be cornered with no alternatives.

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2025-06-07 01:55