A married couple try everything to get each other to leave the house in a vicious divorce battle.
Director:
Danny DeVito
From metacritic.com
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Title: The War of the Roses (1989)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Michael Douglas | ... | ||
| Kathleen Turner | ... | ||
| Danny DeVito | ... | ||
| Marianne Sägebrecht | ... | ||
| Sean Astin | ... |
Josh at 17
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| Heather Fairfield | ... |
Carolyn at 17
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| G.D. Spradlin | ... |
Harry Thurmont
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| Peter Donat | ... |
Jason Larrabee
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| Dan Castellaneta | ... | ||
 |
Gloria Cromwell | ... |
Mrs. Marshall
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Harlan Arnold | ... |
Mr. Dell
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Mary Fogarty | ... |
Mrs. Dell
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Rika Hofmann | ... |
Elke
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Patricia Allison | ... |
Maureen
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| Peter Brocco | ... |
Elderly Mourner
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
The Roses, Barbara and Oliver, live happily as a married couple. Then she starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver, and likes what she sees. Both want to stay in the house, and so they begin a campaign to force each other to leave. In the middle of the fighting is D'Amato, the divorce lawyer. He gets to see how far both will go to get rid of the other, and boy do they go far.. Written by Rob Hartill
Taglines:
Once in a lifetime comes a motion picture that makes you feel like falling in love all over again. This is not that movie.Genres:
ComedyCertificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
8 December 1989 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Der Rosenkrieg See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$9,488,794, 10 December 1989, Wide ReleaseGross USA:
$86,888,546Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$160,188,546Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Gavin: [Gavin is talking to a client] You have some valid reasons for wanting a divorce.
[blows his nose with a handkerchief]
Gavin: Excuse me. My sinuses are very sensitive to irritants.
[sprays nasal decongestant up his nostrils]
Gavin: In the past five months, I think I've breathed freely with both sides working maybe a week total.
[pulls a cigarette out of a pack]
Gavin: I gotta cut this out. It's gonna kill me.
[lights his cigarette]
Gavin: I hadn't smoked for thirteen years. I kept the last cigarette from my last ...
[...]
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Phil Collins was tapped to compose a song for the film, eventually becoming "Something Happened On The Way To Heaven". By the time Collins finished recording, the offer of composing a song for the film had been taken back. Instead the track can be found on Collins' 1989 album "...But Seriously". See more »Goofs
In the final scene in the chandelier, Barbara goes from being barefoot, to shod, back to barefoot again. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Gavin: [Gavin is talking to a client] You have some valid reasons for wanting a divorce.
[blows his nose with a handkerchief]
Gavin: Excuse me. My sinuses are very sensitive to irritants.
[sprays nasal decongestant up his nostrils]
Gavin: In the past five months, I think I've breathed freely with both sides working maybe a week total.
[pulls a cigarette out of a pack]
Gavin: I gotta cut this out. It's gonna kill me.
[lights his cigarette]
Gavin: I hadn't smoked for thirteen years. I kept the last cigarette from my last ...
[...]
See more »
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A very good movie, one that holds up well after repeated viewings. Even if you're familiar with the story, DeVito's methodical and precise direction makes it thoroughly absorbing all over again. This movie has the directorial perfection of a good Alfred Hitchcock thriller, but it's not either a thriller or a comedy; it's a unique mix of elements from several genres, that does contain some laughs and sardonic humor, but also has serious undertones, mostly thanks to Michael Douglas' three-dimensional character and surprisingly sensitive performance. Strongly recommended.