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Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito reunited for a third time to fabulous effect in this dark, disturbing comedy of martial trauma and revenge, which couldn't be more different from their sunnier outings in Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Douglas and Turner, in career-best performances, are the materialistic, consumer-driven Roses of the title (Oliver and Barbara) whose seemingly perfect marriage has soured beyond repair; their only point of contact, aside from their two college-bound kids, is their meticulously maintained dream house, which Douglas bought and Turner decorated to perfection. When Turner gets a taste of financial independence, she asks Douglas for divorce--all she wants is the house and everything in it (aside from his clothes and shaving kit). He laughs at her and she punches him in the face. Things only get worse from there, as nasty divorce proceedings (with DeVito as Douglas's lawyer) give way to insults, threats, ruined dinner parties, and pet abuse. And through it all, the Roses begin destroying their beloved home and its contents, just to spite each other. DeVito, who also directed, takes Michael Leeson's blacker-than-black screenplay and gives it a hyperstylized spin, complete with skewed camera angles and wonderfully expressionistic cinematography (by Stephen Burum) as Douglas and Turner barricade themselves in their house, both refusing to give an inch. Shocking for a mainstream studio picture, with its unsympathetic protagonists, escalating bitterness, and disturbing finale, Roses is a poisonously funny valentine to both marriage and '80s materialism, tempered only by its framing device as a cautionary tale. Definitely not a date movie. --Mark Englehart
Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
War of the Roses (blu ray)…War of Oliver Rose and Barbara Rose with hilarious humour and deadly consequence!
Oct 1 2012
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
VIDEO:
War of the Roses arrives at blu ray with MPEG-4 AVC 1080p 1.85:1 encode. It is directed by Danny DeVito, who intentionally wants a softly photographed picture with a darker lean, thus retaining the cinematographic intent with a pleasing presence of grain, keeping the viewing experience filmic with little overt filtering. Details are there, from the tchotchkes that litter the Rose household to the thinness of fabrics, accentuating certain wardrobe naughtiness from DeVito. Facial response is excellent, with natural skin tones. (4/5)
AUDIO:
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is fairly modest for a manic creation as this, maintaining a primarily frontal presence that makes little time for surround play. Dialogue is crisp and tight, with accurate separation. In 1953, Alfred Newman composed and recorded the 20th Century Fox Fanfare "with Cinemascope extension". In 1989, his son, David Newman re-recorded the fanfare for "The War of the Roses" in order to have the last note of the fanfare segue seamlessly into the first note of the opening titles music. Very clever! But the overall soundtrack is not outstanding. (3/5)
TRIVIA:
Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) cuts the heels off his wife's (Kathleen Turner) shoes. In Romancing the Stone, Jack Colton (Douglas) cut the heels off Joan Wilder's (Turner) shoes.
While shooting the scene where Michael Douglas (Oliver Rose) and Kathleen Turner (Barbara Rose) are sitting in the chandelier, director Danny DeVito pretended to break for lunch while the two actors were 30 feet above ground. I wonder who had the last laugh.
PACKAGING:
There is only one BD-50 disc. But it has an excellent 26-page booklet, containing interesting insights into the story, the production, and the stars with many beautiful pictures. There are many quips in the booklet, and let me quote:
“Once in a lifetime comes a motion picture that makes you feel like falling in love all over again. This is NOT that movie.”
“A deliriously mean-spirited free-for-all…Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are evilly enchanting!”
I gather that the Filmakers Signature Series has no special meaning other than Danny DeVito’s signature is on the front cover.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
For some unexplicable reason, I skipped from my War of the Rose laser disc box set directly to this blu ray release. The title of the movie is rather clever: The War of the Roses (Oliver and Barbara Rose). Ever since Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile, I love the chemistry between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. They work in perfect “harmony” in this melodrama. Although the video and audio are not top-notched, the movie nevertheless is very enjoyable. According to director Danny DeVito the first assembled cut of the film ran 3 hours and 4 minutes! I pre-ordered this movie when the price dropped to $16.99 from $17.99, then rose to $21.99, and now it is gone down to $19.99. The price is still reasonable, and this set is recommended. The ending will send chills up your spine.
War of the Roses arrives at blu ray with MPEG-4 AVC 1080p 1.85:1 encode. It is directed by Danny DeVito, who intentionally wants a softly photographed picture with a darker lean, thus retaining the cinematographic intent with a pleasing presence of grain, keeping the viewing experience filmic with little overt filtering. Details are there, from the tchotchkes that litter the Rose household to the thinness of fabrics, accentuating certain wardrobe naughtiness from DeVito. Facial response is excellent, with natural skin tones. (4/5)
AUDIO:
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is fairly modest for a manic creation as this, maintaining a primarily frontal presence that makes little time for surround play. Dialogue is crisp and tight, with accurate separation. In 1953, Alfred Newman composed and recorded the 20th Century Fox Fanfare "with Cinemascope extension". In 1989, his son, David Newman re-recorded the fanfare for "The War of the Roses" in order to have the last note of the fanfare segue seamlessly into the first note of the opening titles music. Very clever! But the overall soundtrack is not outstanding. (3/5)
TRIVIA:
Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) cuts the heels off his wife's (Kathleen Turner) shoes. In Romancing the Stone, Jack Colton (Douglas) cut the heels off Joan Wilder's (Turner) shoes.
While shooting the scene where Michael Douglas (Oliver Rose) and Kathleen Turner (Barbara Rose) are sitting in the chandelier, director Danny DeVito pretended to break for lunch while the two actors were 30 feet above ground. I wonder who had the last laugh.
PACKAGING:
There is only one BD-50 disc. But it has an excellent 26-page booklet, containing interesting insights into the story, the production, and the stars with many beautiful pictures. There are many quips in the booklet, and let me quote:
“Once in a lifetime comes a motion picture that makes you feel like falling in love all over again. This is NOT that movie.”
“A deliriously mean-spirited free-for-all…Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are evilly enchanting!”
I gather that the Filmakers Signature Series has no special meaning other than Danny DeVito’s signature is on the front cover.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
For some unexplicable reason, I skipped from my War of the Rose laser disc box set directly to this blu ray release. The title of the movie is rather clever: The War of the Roses (Oliver and Barbara Rose). Ever since Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile, I love the chemistry between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. They work in perfect “harmony” in this melodrama. Although the video and audio are not top-notched, the movie nevertheless is very enjoyable. According to director Danny DeVito the first assembled cut of the film ran 3 hours and 4 minutes! I pre-ordered this movie when the price dropped to $16.99 from $17.99, then rose to $21.99, and now it is gone down to $19.99. The price is still reasonable, and this set is recommended. The ending will send chills up your spine.
By HN
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is such a funny movie. My boyfriend is slightly obsessed with Michael Douglas in Falling Down, which when we watched it together, honestly gave me a huge migraine.
So after hearing his synopsis on this movie and raving about how great it was, I was slightly skeptical. But this movie is hilarious. I may have to give Falling Down another chance....
So after hearing his synopsis on this movie and raving about how great it was, I was slightly skeptical. But this movie is hilarious. I may have to give Falling Down another chance....
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Came just as described. Love this movie! It's going to add to my 80's collection I started a while back. Thank you! :)
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Movie
omg, this is such a funny movie. Hard to believe it was based on a true story. Stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Read more
Published 4 months ago by amazon lover
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Fave
This is by far my favourite Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner movie. I could watch it over and over. Do yourself a favour and buy it right now. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Irish Coleen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good DVD of an under-appreciated film
While critics (and audiences) were somewhat lukewarm in their response to this film when it was first released, I enjoyed it. Read more
Published on Jun 27 2004 by pm444
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Nightmare Divorce: A Dark Comedy
The 1989 film "War Of The Roses" was the product of Danny Devito who conceived the idea. He directed the film and it stars Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas. Read more
Published on May 12 2004 by Rudy Avila
4.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 stars, really. I love black comedies!
I won't rehash the plot. It's simply a wonderfully observed crumbling of a marriage probably never built on the healthiest of foundations in the first place. Read more
Published on Dec 8 2003 by RMurray847
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must see for everyone
How do you hold on to someone who want stay and how do you get reed of someone who want leave?
Oliver and Barbara (Douglas and Turner) meet at the auction. Read more
Published on Aug 20 2003 by David Khaindrava
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wickedly Funny
This has to be the funniest movie I have ever seen! Kathleen Turner's and Micheal Douglas's on-screen chemistry is incredible.... Read more
Published on Aug 18 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Dark Comedy Classic About The Divorce From Hell
Among one of my favorite comedies, dark though the material may be, is Danny Devito's War of the Roses. Danny Devito both directed and performed in this late 80's early 90's film. Read more
Published on Aug 3 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Dark Comedy ever, and one of the best PERIOD!
This movie established a new meaning for the word(s) dark and comedy. Danny DeVito is a complete genious. Read more
Published on July 3 2003 by Matthew C. Harold
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Dark Comedies of the 80's.
When a young intelligent couple (Two-Time Oscar Winner:Micheal Douglas & Kathleen Turner), who did feel in love at first sight, then they got married and and then they have two... Read more
Published on Jan 19 2003 by Christian Pelchat
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