Lucy Liu hits a career high as an unraveling mom in ‘Rosemead,’ based on a true crime

by

While there have been many heartbreaking family stories told on screen, the real-life events that inspired the drama “Rosemead” are among the most tragic.

“Rosemead” began as a deeply personal project for Lucy Liu, who stars in and produced the film. The idea came from a powerful 2017 article written by Frank Shyong when he worked at the Los Angeles Times, and it’s the first narrative film produced by LA Times Studios. It’s clear why this story meant so much to Liu.

This moving story is based on the real life of Irene Chao, a Taiwanese American widow facing terminal illness and taking charge of her son’s care – he struggles with schizophrenia. It’s a career-defining performance for actress Lucy Liu, known for her strong roles in films like ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Kill Bill,’ and TV shows such as ‘Ally McBeal’ and ‘Elementary.’ She truly shines in this role.

The story also importantly focuses on the Asian American community in Los Angeles and how it often deals with emotional pain, especially mental health issues. Feelings of shame related to the stigma of these conditions, difficulties with language, and a reluctance to share personal struggles all contribute to this complex cultural issue, which hasn’t been often depicted in films.

Awards

The actress, known for her role in ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ is receiving critical acclaim for her performance in ‘Rosemead,’ a film inspired by a 2017 Los Angeles Times article. This role marks a significant departure from her previous work.

Sherry Liu gives a moving and poignant performance as Irene, the owner of a small print shop inherited from her late husband (Orion Lee appears in flashbacks). She also assists her lifelong friend, Kai-Li (Jennifer Lim), at the local herbal pharmacy. From the beginning, Irene has a persistent cough, hinting at a serious health issue.

Irene is most concerned about her son, Joe, a high school senior who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after his father’s sudden death, and his condition has been worsening. This has caused his grades to drop, affected his ability to compete in swimming, and made it hard for him to concentrate. He now spends much of his time obsessively drawing unsettling pictures of spider webs and a detailed, disturbing map of his school.

Joe has good friends who care about him, but they’re growing increasingly worried about his wild and unpredictable behavior. He’s been disappearing suddenly and often, and he’s also been acting destructively.

On top of everything else, Joe has stopped taking his medication without telling anyone. He’s also been increasingly preoccupied with guns and the tragic news about school shootings.

Movies

For Subscribers

The 27 best movie theaters in Los Angeles

We’ve compiled a list of 27 fantastic movie theaters in Los Angeles, including iconic spots like the TCL Chinese and New Beverly, popular chains like Alamo Drafthouse, and the best AMC location in Burbank.

Irene’s therapist, Dr. Hsu (played by James Chen), tries to reassure her that most people with schizophrenia are not violent. However, Irene is struggling with a serious illness and finds little comfort in this. She fears that when she’s gone, her son will be unable to care for himself and may harm others.

A difficult situation demands action. The outcome is so shocking that if it weren’t based on a true story, the film’s well-crafted script might feel unbelievable. However, as the saying goes, reality can be more surprising than anything imagined, and audiences will be deeply affected by the film’s powerful ending.

I was really excited to see Eric Lin direct, especially since he’s done amazing work as a cinematographer on smaller films like “The Exploding Girl” and “Hearts Beat Loud.” While his debut is solid, the movie itself doesn’t quite reach the heights the story suggests – it feels a little straightforward at times. I also wasn’t a huge fan of how he tried to show the main character’s schizophrenia with flashing lights; it ended up feeling a bit distracting instead of really pulling you into his experience.

What really struck me about this film is how convincingly it portrays life in and around Rosemead. Lin, with a fantastic eye and the help of cinematographer Lyle Vincent, really nailed the atmosphere. It’s impressive when you learn that most of it wasn’t actually shot in L.A.! They filmed a lot in New York – Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island – to get some tax breaks. But honestly, you’d never know. They used enough SoCal footage to make everything feel completely natural and seamless – it really works.

It’s hard to overstate how incredible Liu’s performance is – it feels completely natural. She’s physically remarkable, convincingly portraying her character as both fragile and determined. Raised in a Chinese-speaking home in New York, Liu also showcases impressive language skills, seamlessly switching between Irene’s hesitant English and fluent Mandarin. While awards recognition isn’t guaranteed, Liu deserves to be a major contender.

Even though “Rosemead” deals with difficult and sad themes, it’s surprisingly not completely depressing. Like other stories about incredibly tough times, it offers meaningful insights into people and society. And right now, any honest and moving story about the immigrant experience in America is worth watching. Plus, a standout performance makes it especially appealing to those seeking thoughtful films.

Read More

2025-12-13 05:31