The War of the Roses (1989)
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Cast
as Oliver Rose
as Barbara Rose
as Gavin D'Amato
as Susan
as Josh (at 17)
as Carolyn (at 17)
as Harry Thurmont
as Larrabee
as Mrs. Marshall
as Josh (age 10)
as Carolyn (age 10)
as Man in Chair
as Bennie
as Kitty Kitty the Cat
as Mr. Dell
as Mrs. Dell
as Elke
as Maureen
as Elderly Mourner
as Bidder at Auction
as Autioneer's Assistant
as Mrs. Dewitt
as Dr. Hillerman
as Orderly
as Nurse
as Gavin's Secretary
as Nancy, Oliver's Secretary
as Nurse
as Latin Woman
as Orderly
as Latin Assistant
as Teenage Boy
as Anchorwoman
as Anchorman
as Mr. Fisk
as Mr. Marshall
as Heath
as Josh, Age 3
as Bleeding Man
as Carolyn, Age 3
as Manicurist Trainee
as Dr. Gordon
as Mr. Marshall
as Bleeding Man
as Stand-In
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Critic Reviews for The War of the Roses
All Critics (38) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (7) | DVD (7)
DeVito's taste for unorthodox camera angles and striking camera movements occasionally verges on overreaching but for the most part admirably serves the action.
Trying to wring yocks from a deranged couple locked in mortal combat over possession of their house is more suited to film noir than black comedy.
De Vito's quirky camera angles and Kathleen Turner's steely-eyed spite inject a sadistic comic-strip madness into a film that for once has the nerve to see its nastiness through.
DeVito's direction is distinctively odd (with a lot of low-angle shots looking up at things), enjoyably mischievous and always somehow mindful that there may be, at the heart of all this comic mayhem, something substantial going on.
DeVito triumphs by instilling this caustic satire with truth and consequence.
[A] deliciously jaundiced perspective on matrimony.
Audience Reviews for The War of the Roses
Oliver Rose: You weren't even multiorgasmic before you met me, were you? "There is no winning! Only degrees of losing!" It took me a long time to finally watch this movie and it really was worth it. This is a dark comedy out of heaven. I loved everything about it. Danny DeVito's commentary and direction are awesome. And of course Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner give fantastic and fun performances as a married couple who are now dueling for their home. The movie is extremely fun and entertaining. Oliver and Barbara Rose have been married for 17 years. In those 17 years, they had two kids and Oliver worked himself into a position where he is making loads of money. The family is rich and they buy their dream house. Barbara spends years making the house as perfect as possible, but when she is finally done she realizes that her marriage is no longer a satisfying one. She wants a divorce, but she also wants the house and Oliver isn't going to give that up easy. Basically the whole run time is full of marital disputes and craziness. Kathleen Turner is so good at playing a bitch. She excels at it to such a degree, that I only think of her as a bitch. Michael Douglas is just Michael Douglas. He's a solid and multidimensional actor who never disappoints. Those two on screen together in this movie are perfect. They much more fun to watch then they were in Romancing The Stone. The movie is essentially a drama that they playoff as a comedy, and it works really well. These types of Black Comedies don't always work, but when they do, they aren't just good, they're amazing. This is one of those examples. DeVito doesn't make a false step. He brings us into a world of marital hell and he does it with a strong sense of style and wit.
Super Reviewer
Funny movie about a divorce lawyer and his client Oliver Rose. Barbara worked her whole life to provide for her family and make a good home. When the kids are off to college, she wants to set up her own business. Her husband takes no interest. He thinks their life is perfect but she wishes he was dead. They war over their beautiful house. Great cast.
Super Reviewer
Fun and really dark black comedy about a fighting couple from Danny DeVito.
Super Reviewer
The War of the Roses Quotes
| Gavin D'Amato: | My father used to say a man can never outdo a woman when it comes to love or revenge. |
| Gavin D'Amato: | There are two dilemmas that rattle the human skull: How do you hold on to someone who won't stay? And how do you get rid of someone who won't stay? |
| Gavin D'Amato: | There are two dilemmas that rattle the human skull; How do you hold on to someone who won't stay? And how do you get rid of someone who won't stay? |
| Man in Chair: | Why would somebody sell a million-dollar house for $200,000? |
| Gavin D'Amato: | Who knows--divorce, loan sharks, drugs, sudden death--the point is, you get to capitalize on a fellow human being's misfortune. That's the basis of real estate. |
| Gavin D'Amato: | No. No, Oliver - you don't even deal with her. You avoid her: women can be a lot meaner than we give them credit for. Never underestimate her as an adversary. Don't even talk to her. |
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