The Rose (1979)

The tragic life of a self-destructive female rock star who struggles to deal with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of her ruthless business manager.

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

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

Stars:

Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Rose
Alan Bates	...	Rudge
Frederic Forrest	...	Dyer
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Billy Ray
Barry Primus	...	Dennis
David Keith	...	Mal
Sandra McCabe	...	Sarah
Will Hare	...	Mr. Leonard
Rudy Bond	...	Monty
Don Calfa	...	Don Frank
James Keane	...	Dealer
Doris Roberts	...	Rose's Mother
Sandy Ward	...	Rose's Father
Michael Greer	...	Emcee
Kenny Sacha	...	Female Impersonator (as Claude Sacha)

Storyline

Bette Midler plays The Rose, a female rock star strikingly similar to Janis Joplin. This movie follows Rose's career during her last tour, as she's determined to return to her Florida hometown. Although a success, she's exhausted and lonely, but is forced to continue working by her gruff and greedy manager. Though loud and brassy, Rose is an insecure alcoholic, and former drug user, who seems to crave approval in her life. She begins a romance with a limousine driver, who is actually an A.W.O.L. Sergeant from the US Army. Her musician lifestyle of "sex, drugs, and rock & roll", along with the constant touring, leads her to an inevitable breakdown.

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Plot Keywords:

roses | bath house | f rated | drugs | awol | 

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Taglines:

The legend of "The Rose" continues...

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the club where Rose joins the drag version of herself on stage, they sing "The Fire Down Below" by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. The song was released in 1976, but the movie is set in 1969.

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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: What are we ladies? What are we? We are waitresses at the banquet of life! Get into that kitchen and rattle them pots and pans - and you better look pretty good doin' it too, 'else you gonna lose you good thing. And why do we do that, I'll tell you why we do that? We do that to find love - Oh I love to be in love - don't you love to be in love?

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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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Alternate Versions

CBS edited 14 minutes from this film for its 1984 network premiere.

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Connections

Referenced in Glitter (2001)

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Soundtracks

Fire Down Below
Music and Lyrics by Bob Seger
Performed by Bette Midler (uncredited)

User Reviews

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!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Tour

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$793,063, 11 November 1979

Gross USA:

$29,174,648

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$29,174,648

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1