I've seen this trope before - Immigrant family struggling through an unkind America. IMO, this is the majority of themes in Asian America cinema that can get overwhelming for people like me who root for the success of APAs. There is an influx of APA immigrant stories through film at the moment, so it's quite memorable and refreshing when a film stands out from a familiar trope. Director Diane Paragas's intentional choices makes Yellow Rose a worthy competitor to studio films in the coming-of-age genre. The casting of Eva Noblezada makes Yellow Rose a special film. You root for her, get annoyed with her, but want her to succeed through stubborn flaws. The way Eva portrays Rose is the heart of the story that should go down as nothing less than brilliant. The immersion of Rose in the country music scene of Texas is as apple pie you can get. Square Peg is a simple, beautiful country song. Another great choice is a love story not overdone, but enough to recognize the innocence of young love amidst a developing serious situation. Princess Punzalan depicts Rose's mom with classic emotional beats, even with the storyline of a family on ICE's radar not moving the needle for me. Ms. Punzalan makes it worthwhile. Yellow Rose should be a film to be appreciated over time. It also brings the developing Filipino American cinema to a level sorely needed as the first film to depict lead characters of Fil-Am background in an inclusive way. Bravo to Yellow Rose for reminding us that square peg characters are our favorite underdogs.

Was really surprise by this film and singing in it was really good. Was really refreshing to see a younger person being mentor by old person and the younger person not being a know it all.

Fresh, sweet and also poignant. Explores the dilemma of undocumented immigrants and the brutal deportation system, but also the courage and talent of a teen girl with Filipino heritage struggling to become a country singer/songwriter in Texas. Different and appealing.

Touching story of Rose, an undocumented Filipina teen, living in Texas. After her mother is picked up by ICE, Rose is left with some difficult choices and circumstances. While trying to navigate life as an illegal immigrant, in fear of being deported, Rose pursues her dream of being a country singer-songwriter, meeting some supportive and caring folks along the way. This understated film is very well acted by the entire cast and though the story is simple it tugs at your heartstrings. I like that the teen romance took a back seat and was just a small facet of the film and there was more focus on the songwriting and the music. which is beautiful and emotionally sung by the actress Eva Noblezada (Rose) and country musician Dale Watson, who also stars in the film (as well as a beautiful Filipino lullaby sung by Lea Salonga.) . Rated PG-13 for a few (authentic and not just for the heck of it) swear words. A beautifully told story IMHO! 5/2021

The scripting could have been better. It seemed like a first attempt. Mostly, it suffered one major flaw; given that much of the movie was about singing, there wasn't nearly enough of that in the movie. But it wasn't terrible.

This movie is full of delicate and beautiful scenes.

This is a unique topic and for that it gets serious credit. There is some poor writing along the way that makes this movie drag. So close to good. Just not quite there. There are many beautiful marks that are hit in this movie. It's the ones that are left hanging that leave you longing.

When it's not preachy, Yellow Rose is an excellent film.  It tackles a serious issue (Immigration), and combines a coming of age love story and an unlikely friendship.  It's not perfect, but it's genuine.  I cried tears of sadness and tears of joy for a film that is hopeful.  Lots of smiles!  Final Score: 8/10

This is a beautiful coming of age movie with the twist while making her way. A surprise appearance by Dale Watson rounds out an excellent cast that makes for a heartwarming story of picking yourself up from tough circumstances

Apart from the irritating mother, this was pretty good.

Yellow Rose is a movie that holds a lot of promise, and doesn't really ever deliver. I can't shake the feeling (even at the end of the movie) that everyone simply used Rose. The fact that no one seems to want to really help her, and only want her around as long as it benefits them. Not her mother (abandons Rose for Manila), not her "friend" (wants a romantic relationship), not the Aunt (prefers her comfort / abusive husband), not the bar owner (wants cheap labor and worries only about the business after ICE abducts her help), not Dale (wants her as a "muse" as Rose puts it). Only the ICE agent who spots Rose provides her any real help (by not taking her in). What a wasted chance to show that humanity has a good side with such important immigration issues, and that these children especially are vulnerable and deserve someone to advocate for them. As we see Rose age and the movie ends, Rose clearly expects that she will also be deported (despite her defiant song).

Very tight film, excellently executed from the astute writing to the excellent musical score and cinematography. An engaging and thoughtful telling of a universal struggle by Filipino migrants globally. This essential workforce, that is so often overlooked is spotlighted in a simple and engaging film. Choosing the American state of Texas, and the country music scene as a backdrop, allows the opportunity to showcase the human spirit and dismantle stereotypes of racism and xenophobia; while in this film the enemy is not the people but the system that governs them. Yellow Rose show's that in the most trialing of circumstances, art, music and creativity can sometimes be the only escape hatch to freedom. Bravo to the director and writer, I imagine great things to follow.

Poignant, heartfelt, engaging, and brutally honest, this film was a joy to watch. The beautifully performed songs are just the icing on the cake of this exquisitely written/shot/edited/casted movie that hits close to home during these challenging times.

A beautiful, compelling film set in and around Austin, TX. A sweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming film about love and loss. A Filipino mother and daughter experience an ICE raid that sends the mother home, but Rose is young singer/songwriter that falls in with a well known Texas songwriter Dale Watson. She learns to cope with her situation through music and overcomes her stage fright. Highly recommended.

Being that I'm a conservative I knew this movie would probably rub me the wrong way. Not as bad as I expected, but yeah it had its liberal twist. Manipulating the mush brains on how they need to think. Such as illegal aliens or undocumented. If you call them undocumented it doesn't sound so bad but illegal, well there's no getting around that. Another one, oh no it's ICE beating on the door...run. I don't understand why they are treating us this way? Uh, maybe because you're an illegal. How about the ICE agent who went through all the training to become an ICE agent. Now he has a guilty conscience for doing his job as if he is now doing something wrong. Yeah right... thank you for your service, keep up the good work. That's just to name a few of the liberal mind molding tricks. After you filter that stuff out, you're left with an average movie that has some moments of bad acting.

Beautiful movie. Compelling characters with cleverly revealed vulnerabilities navigating a brutal landscape of insecurity and attachments. I was genuinely surprised at such a visceral narrative for a multi genre movie. It's a pretty good C&W genre, struggling musician befriends kind hearted characters in the biz movie. Great song writing. There are parts that throw you into a Kafkaesque nightmare typical of sci fi distopia or Nazi occupied Poland. Everything is strung together nicely by the script and direction. Very impressive film making.

Such a beautiful movie about the struggles of undocumented immigrants and the burden that their kids have to carry.

Good acting, especially by daughter and mom. Timely story. Great singing!

Such a beautiful film. Eva Noblezada is phenomenal especially this being her feature film. I can't wait to see her do more on the big screen. Look out world because she's a force to be reckoned with!

Not what I thought it would be.