Directed by:
Danny DeVitoScreenplay:
Michael LeesonCinematography:
Stephen H. BurumComposer:
David NewmanCast:
Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Marianne Sägebrecht, Sean Astin, Heather Fairfield, G. D. Spradlin, Peter Donat, Dan Castellaneta (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
In this blackest of comedies, a perfect 18-year marriage suddenly becomes unglued and the gleefully evil Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver (Michael Douglas) Rose single-mindedly inflict as much misery as possible on each other. Rather than just get divorced, they declare war, fighting to the bitter end over their huge mansion and every possession in it. Not even the calculating guidance of Oliver's lawyer (Danny DeVito) can stop this uncompromisingly nasty two some as their vicious battle sends them on an increasingly dark and dangerous path. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (6)
This movie has a lot of black humor moments and dramatic tension too. It’s certainly worth a watch, but maybe not two times over. I’m not sure. What leaves me in doubt are the only sketchy characters of both of the main protagonists. It seemed that I got to see too little of what was going on inside them to be able the properly enjoy the outright war that breaks out in the second half of the movie.
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An entertaining film and pretty mature in terms of direction and script, which is especially surprising when it comes to the former, as Danny DeVito, who did not have much experience with big-budget productions at the time, took on the project with verve and enthusiasm and the result corresponds to that. The dialogues between the family members are meticulously crafted and there is no shortage of entertaining scenes. Kathleen Turner doesn't attract me at all, but that is just my personal handicap. Michael Douglas plays his classic businessman excellently again. The harsh ending, which deviates significantly from Hollywood's sweet and predictable paths, is also good.
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There are films where you say to yourself that they are a waste of time. Another group of films evokes the feeling that it's good but also that watching it once is enough. The third category includes films that you can revisit repeatedly and they will never disappoint. Moreover, as you age, you gain experience and your life roles gradually change, you can find new angles on the actors in this dark comedy, and probably your sym(anti)pathies towards them will at least partially change as well. Many people claim that The War of the Roses should be mandatory viewing for everyone as part of premarital preparation. I'm afraid that following this advice would lead to a radical decrease in an already low number of marriages, so I recommend watching the film only after getting married when it's not easy to back out. However, it really can help avoid bitter endings. Allow me to remind you that children are often the cement and cushion that dampens conflicts in a marriage. Thus, if you decide to get married, which I recommend, let someone else pay my pension - procreate! Overall impression: 90%.
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Danny DeVito as a director is a rather grim auteur. His films are exclusively aggressive beyond believability, and while I understand that the Douglas and Turner pairing was popular, I can imagine the same story retold by someone else being much more successful. Moreover, I don't notice myself having any interest in reading Warren Adler's original book or its sequel, which is quite the calling card in and of itself.
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This is a different take on Wars of the Roses, it is called The War of the Roses. The saying "pushing you until you snap." applies very well to this movie. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are an absolutely insane and totally convincing couple. Come to think of it – is not the entirety of The War of the Roses perfect too? Woof!
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