'Roses on the Vine' Review: A Quiet Story of Love and Survival
- Alex Leptos
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
The vision for Roses on the Vine goes back to its initial inspiration. I was looking out my window in 2021 when I saw a father and young daughter pull up to my apartment building on a scooter to make a food delivery. As soon as I saw them, I thought to myself, that’s a movie.
That indelible image—a single father bringing his daughter along on deliveries—stuck with me. It spoke to a hard life, and that’s where true drama lies. From that seed, I built a world and story around those two characters.
Single parenthood, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the forgotten people who serve us and shape our lives through quiet endurance—all of these are things I wanted to explore through this film. I hope I’ve done justice to that original moment of inspiration, because these are characters that deserve to be seen.
- Jon Shaivitz (writer/director)
Roses on the Vine, by director Jon Shaivitz, is a simple story but one of many things. A quiet story of love and survival focusing on two characters: one a softly spoken single father with a questionable past, struggling to make ends meet, and the other his doting, cheeky seven-year-old daughter.
From the get-go, you aren’t so much thrown as placed into this story and their relationship, which is sympathetic, loving, and deeply authentic. Never leaving each other’s side as they travel together around town delivering takeout, Billy (the father) goes from door to door in search of more stable employment to better their situation in a world that constantly seems against them. The two engage in conversations about life, childhood, loss, and ambition- along with a bit of people-watching banter sprinkled in too.
Things aren’t all honest, though, with the pair also engaging in questionable means for a quick buck- but nothing so drastic that you question their morality. One simply becomes very aware of how desperate they are. It ponders what we might be willing to do for the people we care about, how far that might go, and how much of it we’re willing to keep from them.
Their story does take some unexpected turns and flips your expectations, but it all arrives very gradually, without becoming overly dramatic or changing its tone entirely. Roses on the Vine maintains its focus throughout; it doesn’t overdo anything, doesn’t linger too long, and jumps (relatively) large periods of time to let the events unfold comfortably.
Whilst Billy is the driving force of the narrative, it’s nice that we spend spurts of time independently with Hazel, as Madeline Sinclair proves she has the chops to hold the screen on her own. We get to know her through her downtime, her antics, her conversations with friends, teachers, and, of course, her dad.
In terms of performances, both Cameron Cowperthwaite and Madeline Sinclair offer grounded, sombre portrayals that keep you engaged- both as a pair and individually. The supporting characters, made up of Tonatiuh and Ryder Rhythm as their father-and-son neighbours, are strong collaborators, and they, along with others dotted throughout, help push things along smoothly.
Roses on the Vine is indeed a story of many things: love, loss, parenthood, childhood, desperation, hope, growth and redemption. It explores each theme with compassion, and none of them are overdone.
When pondering its title, Roses on the Vine could mean a lot of things- beauty sustained through struggle, or hope growing out of difficult soil. It’s a fitting name for a film that looks at life’s imperfections with empathy, reminding us that even the roughest paths can still lead to something much greater.
Roses on the Vine has begun to attract critical attention and industry interest, with its UK digital release through Kaleidoscope Film Distribution serving as the start of its international roll-out.
About the filmmaker
Jon Shaivitz is a Los Angeles–based writer and director originally from Baltimore, Maryland, known for crafting emotionally resonant, genre-blending stories with cinematic depth.
Since moving to LA in 2009, he has earned recognition in top-tier competitions including the Academy Nicholl Fellowship (Top 50), StoryPros (Runner-Up), and the Atlanta Screenplay Awards (Best Feature). His work has led to multiple script options, industry collaborations, and a growing reputation as a bold, innovative voice in filmmaking.
In 2025, Jon makes his feature writing and directorial debut with Roses on the Vine, a gripping drama released worldwide through Kaleidoscope Film Distribution. His ability to balance sharp storytelling with emotional truth and commercial appeal has positioned him as a sought-after talent in both screenwriting and directing.
Jon continues to push genre boundaries while maintaining a strong emotional core. With a passion for crafting fresh, thought-provoking narratives, he’s known for delivering engaging and unforgettable cinematic experiences.
Watch the trailer for Roses on the Vine
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