Comedy
United States of America
The War of the Roses is a dark comedy film released in 1989, directed by Danny DeVito. The movie stars Michael Douglas as Oliver Rose, a successful lawyer, and Kathleen Turner as Barbara Rose, his wife, who had given up her career to take care of their home and kids.
The opening scene of the movie shows a dinner party at the Roses' home, which is being narrated by a voiceover from Barbara. The party is filled with tension as the Roses' guests can sense the hostility between the couple. Barbara then reveals that she has asked for a divorce, and the rest of the movie showcases the couple's battle to keep their house and assets.
The War of the Roses is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, as the Roses resort to extreme measures to drive each other out of the house. They destroy each other's personal items, use underhanded tactics to ruin each other's living conditions, and even cause physical harm to one another.
Throughout the movie, divorce lawyer Gavin D'Amato (played by Danny DeVito) tries to mediate between the Roses, but ultimately becomes a bystander to their war. He is both fascinated and horrified by the lengths they are willing to go to hurt each other.
As the movie progresses, the Roses' fighting becomes increasingly intense and destructive. The final act of the movie shows a thrilling and dangerous confrontation that leaves the fate of both characters unknown.
Overall, The War of the Roses is a darkly comic exploration of the breakdown of a marriage, with powerful performances from its lead actors. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting love turn into hate.
