The Rose (1979) 6.7
The story of the tragic life of a self destructive female rock star, modeled after Janis Joplin. Director:Mark Rydell |
|
| 0Share... |
The Rose (1979) 6.7
The story of the tragic life of a self destructive female rock star, modeled after Janis Joplin. Director:Mark Rydell |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Bette Midler | ... | ||
| 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)
|
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. Written by R. John Berggren <jberg@nina.pagesz.net>
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.