X
- 1989
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 1 h 56 m
- 1989
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 1 h 56 m
Directed By: Danny DeVito
Written By: Warren Adler, Michael Leeson
- 1989
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 1 h 56 m
- 1989
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox
- 1 h 56 m
The War of the Roses
80
8.6
Where to Watch
Directed By: Danny DeVito
Written By: Warren Adler, Michael Leeson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
80
88% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
12% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
80
88% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
12% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
But it is the style with which this wild farce is developed that sustains our horrified interest and keeps us laughing as the darkness gathers around Barbara and Oliver. [11 Dec 1989]
A compellingly watchable, suspenseful, and often funny treatment of a grim subject--the hatred that can build up in a long-term marriage--that also becomes an indirect commentary on yuppie materialism.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 94 User Ratings
8.6
88% Positive
83 Ratings
83 Ratings
10% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 94 User Ratings
8.6
88% Positive
83 Ratings
83 Ratings
10% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Good movie with a nice war of divorce. You always ask, how the other one will react and do. Michael Douglas is great.
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A flawless proof that De Vito works as director and method actor, at same time. The how and why a marriage made in heaven fall step by step into the highway to hell. Mixes witty drama and comedy with a bitter final act. ¡Bravo for Douglas and Turner!
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Director DeVito, who never did know when to quit, manages to be as clever as he is vicious. His first movie, "Throw Momma From the Train," seems almost lyrical in comparison to the ruthlessness of this vehicle.
The most brutal husband-wife encounter since axe-wielding Jack Nicholson yelled "Heeeeere's Johnny!" to Shelley Duvall in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining."
The movie treads a dangerous line. There are times when its ferocity threatens to break through the boundaries of comedy - to become so unremitting we find we cannot laugh.
Although the movie goes too far, you can hardly get enough of its delicious atmosphere - and of Turner, in particular, who has never looked better on the big screen. [8 Dec 1989]
A great premise for a movie. Unfortunately, The War of the Roses is not clever, at least not very often. [14 Dec 1989, p.A20(E)]
This is a very amusing film. Its pretty simple comedy I guess - visual, slapstick type comedy but I found it an easy and enjoyable watch. The script is fairly witty/sharp and there are some tense and borderline gripping moments as well as the funny ones. This film features a good cast and it makes for a decent watch as a comedy film - ok its a bit cheesy and some may think its a little too over the top but I enjoyed it as a bit of easy basic entertainment. Whats not to like?. So yes, I'd recommend it. I also liked that the wife really stood up for herself. I didn't always agree with what she did but I kind of respected her attitude for the most part anyway. This film does have a comic book feel to it but in a good way I guess - the characters are perhaps a little over animated but I enjoyed it, so, make of that what you will.
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"Once in a lifetime comes a motion picture that makes you feel like falling in love all over again. This is not that movie." Trust me, I know exactly what that movie is. I thought this is the third movie starring Michael, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito and all I get is a different movie with character names changing. First of all, in two films they have Jack Colton, Joan Wilder and Ralph and now they changed into Oliver and Barbara Rose and Gavin D'Amato. What the hell happened all that time? Apparently the film had no narration from Kathleen Turner just like in two films she did and she's not a novelist anymore and Danny DeVito is not a crook and Michael Douglas is not a hero anymore. All they have here is very different. I mean, yeah, Danny DeVito narrating and directing it and, yeah, this is going to be funny and, yes, this movie really is funny. The end battle is hilarious as f£$k and I also laughed at the scene that Oliver eats pate but thinks it's dog food. That had me laughing! The rest of the film is funny, hilarious and well acted. The cinematography is great, it's like something in the 40's and 50's. That's really impressive! If you think this is the third of the trilogy just like me, this is not the trilogy. This is a film that is different than any film with three actors/actress then I think The War of the Roses of the film for you. Give it watch and see if it'll laugh your @$$ off.
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Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Nominations
David di Donatello Awards
• 2 Nominations
BMI Film & TV Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
