The Rose (1979)

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

Bo Goldman (screenplay)
Bill Kerby (story)

Release Date:

7 November 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

She gave and gave, until she had nothing left to give

Plot:

The story of the tragic life of a self destructive female rock star, modeled after Janis Joplin.

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Artist | Price Of Fame | Chauffeur | Lesbian

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Bette Midler	...	Mary Rose Foster
Alan Bates	...	Rudge Campbell
Frederic Forrest	...	Huston Dyer
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Billy Ray
Barry Primus	...	Dennis
David Keith	...	Pfc. Mal
Sandra McCabe	...	Sarah Willingham
Will Hare	...	Mr. Leonard
Rudy Bond	...	Monty
Don Calfa	...	Don Frank
James Keane	...	Sam
Doris Roberts	...	Mrs. Foster
Sandy Ward	...	Mr. Foster, Rose's Father
Michael Greer	...	Emcee
Claude Sacha	...	Female Impersonator

Also Known As:

The Tour (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Portugal:M/16 (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/18 (original rating)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Mark Rydell would only agree to direct if he could cast Bette Midler in the lead. Up to that time, Midler had only appeared in bit parts in films, and was known primarily as a nightclub singer.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Kris is invited to Barbara's place and while they are talking at a kitchen table, the wine cork constantly jumps from atop the bottle back down to the table as the scene unfolds.

Quotes:

Rose: Where you going...? Where's everybody going...?
[she collapses onstage]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (#9.12)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

When a Man Loves a Woman

Do not miss this film! A masterpiece in disguise!

Bette Midler IS the Rose! There are not too many films out there in which the viewer forgets their watching a movie - this is one of them. Watching The Rose is almost like snooping on someone's personal life... you know you shouldn't but you can't believe what's being revealed to you right before your eyes! Bette Midler is simply "divine" and completely believable as the worn-out, alcohol-abusing rock star who is in dire need of love and a break but continues to please her audience - and her ruthless, money hungry manager. After kicking a bad drug habit we watch her throughout the movie slowly, little by little, sink back down to the bottom. You root for her throughout hoping she just runs away from the rock and roll life that's slowly killing her but she seems to need it as much as it needs her. In the end it devours her and we're left wondering "why". This film changed my life when I was a teenager with a rock 'n' roll dream. Bette Midler pours her heart and soul into this film, and it shows in every frame. Combine that with an awesome sound track, breathtaking full length song performances and an over-the-edge personality and you have one heck of a film here!