"The War of the Roses" is an uncompromising film based upon the eternally topical subject of divorce. It fits neatly into the same category as "When Harry Met Sally..." (1989), but where that yawn fest ruminated upon the boring notion that a man can never be just good friends with an attractive woman without sex becoming an inevitable issue and getting in the way of a beautiful friendship this film ponders the notion is there any such thing as an amicable divorce? The film which results from this preponderance is a brilliantly bitter and ugly one that takes the issue to the absolute extremes of human behaviour like never before as the luxurious marital home is gradually reduced to a shadowy and dangerous battlefield. Danny DeVito excels magnificently behind the camera as director and he achieves the admirable feat of producing eye catching visuals which don't dominate or derail the entire film.
Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. When Barbara starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver and likes what she sees, the two begin a campaign to force each other to leave their house, with their divorce lawyer D'Amato caught in the middle.
Quick Stats
6.9
TMDB Rating
1,266
Votes
1h 56m
Runtime
$26.0M
Budget
$160.2M
Box Office
616%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorDanny DeVito
WriterWarren Adler
CinematographyStephen H. Burum
ComposerDavid Newman
EditorLynzee Klingman
Production DesignIda Random
Produced by
20th Century FoxGracie Films
Where to Watch
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Critics & Reviews
1 featuredCast

Michael Douglas
Oliver Rose

Kathleen Turner
Barbara Rose

Danny DeVito
Gavin D'Amato

Marianne Sägebrecht
Susan

Sean Astin
Josh at 17

Heather Fairfield
Carolyn at 17

G.D. Spradlin
Harry Thurmont

Peter Donat
Jason Larrabee

Dan Castellaneta
Man in Chair
G
Gloria Cromwell
Mrs. Marshall
H
Harlan Arnold
Mr. Dell
M
Mary Fogarty
Mrs. Dell

Rika Hofmann
Elke
P
Patricia Allison
Maureen

Peter Brocco
Elderly Mourner







