The Rose (1979)

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

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

Bo Goldman (screenplay), Bill Kerby (screenplay),

Stars:

Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Kenny Sacha	...	Female Impersonator (as Claude Sacha)

Storyline

Bette Midler plays "Rose", an artist strikingly similar to Janis Joplin. The film follows Rose's career during her last tour. Her rock and roll lifestyle of Drugs, Sex, and Rock and Roll and constant touring lead her to an inevitable breakdown.

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Plot Keywords:

roses | drugs | artist | female impersonator | adultery | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pearl

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$29,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Bette Midler played another Rose-named character, Mama Rose in the remake of the classic Gypsy, the name being similar to 'The Rose' / Mary Rose Foster in this movie. Midler was first touted to appear in Gypsy as early as 1980 when this film was in post-production and Midler reportedly held off signing until after she had seen the final cut of The Rose and the public's reaction to it.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

Lyrics of "The Rose" are displayed at the end of the credit crawl, scrolling to the ending of the song.

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Connections

Featured in I Love the '70s: Volume 2: 1979 (2006)

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Soundtracks

"When a Man Loves a Woman"
Written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright
Performed by Bette Midler

User Reviews

Awesome!

I'm no fan of Bette Midler, but I was mighty impressed by her first starring role in "The Rose". The Divine Miss M plays Rose, a Janis Joplin-type, living her last days in a sea of sex, booze, and drugs. The movie shows painfully and slowly how her life goes completely out of control, while her friends and management are helpless.

Midler, unlike the unbearably long line of singers/rappers/divas/bubblegum pop stars who have done acting, can do both and dominate. Midler's Oscar-nominated performance is awesome, and her singing voice is superb as she belts out the songs with panache. If you want to see her do something else besides the endless comedies she does, check this one out.