The Rose (film)

Infobox Film
name = The Rose


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = Mark Rydell
producer = Aaron Russo
Marvin Worth
Anthony Ray
writer = Bo Goldman
Michael Cimino(Uncredited)
starring = Bette Midler
Alan Bates
Frederic Forrest
Harry Dean Stanton
music = Paul A. Rothchild
[Mendellsohn (Piano concerto no 1, 2nd movement, the Rose)
cinematography = Vilmos Zsigmond
editing = Robert L. Wolfe
distributor = 20th Century Fox
released = November 9, 1979
runtime = 125 min.
country = flagicon|USA
language = English
budget = $8.5 million
gross = $29.2 million
amg_id = 1:42119
imdb_id = 0079826

"The Rose" is a 1979 musical-drama film which tells the story of a self-destructive 1960s rock star who struggles to cope with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of her ruthless business manager. The film stars Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus, and David Keith.

The story is loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. It was written by Michael Cimino, who went uncredited, and Bo Goldman from a story by Bill Kerby, and directed by Mark Rydell.

"The Rose" was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Frederic Forrest), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Bette Midler, in her screen debut), Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

Plot

In 1969, Mary Rose Foster is a famous rock 'n' roll diva known as The Rose. Although a success, she is burnt out and lonely but is kept working by her gruff, greedy manager and promoter Rudge Campbell. Though loud and brassy, Rose is an insecure alcoholic and former drug user who seems to crave approval in her life. As such, she is determined to return to her hometown, now as a superstar. After being humiliated by a country singing star named Billy Ray whose songs she performs in her show, Rose takes off with a limousine driver named Houston Dyer and begins a romance with him. They hang out at a nightclub, where Rose used to perform, only for her to sing with a bunch of female impersonators.

Rudge thinks Houston is just another hanger on, but Rose thinks she has finally met her true love. Houston tells her that he is actually an AWOL sergeant from the Army, and she tells him of her past in Florida. They have a rocky relationship and her lifestyle of "Drugs, Sex, and Rock & Roll" and constant touring lead her to an inevitable breakdown. The final act that breaks them apart is him witnessing her passionately kissing her former lesbian lover Sarah Willingham. In the film's ending, Rose collapses on stage from a fatal drug overdose in the opening minutes of her long-awaited homecoming concert in Florida.

Cast

*Bette Midler as Mary Rose Foster (The Rose)
*Alan Bates as Rudge Campbell
*Frederic Forrest as Houston Dyer
*Harry Dean Stanton as Billy Ray
*Barry Primus as Dennis
*David Keith as Pfc. Mal
*Sandra McCabe as Sarah Willingham
*Will Hare as Mr. Leonard
*James Keane as Sam
*Doris Roberts as Mrs. Roberts

Production

The film was originally offered to Ken Russell, who chose instead to direct Valentino. Russell has described this decision as the biggest mistake of his career. [ [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2870480.ece Ten big things I have learnt from my mistakes - Times Online ] ]

Awards and Nominations

Wins

*Golden Globes: Best Actress - Musical/Comedy (Bette Midler), Best Original Song - "The Rose" (Amanda McBroom), New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Female (Bette Midler)
*National Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Frederic Forrest)

Nominations

*Academy Awards: Best Actress (Bette Midler), Best Supporting Actor (Frederic Forrest), Best Editing (Robert L. Wolfe, Carroll Timothy O'Meara), Best Sound (Theodore Soderberg, Douglas O. Williams, Paul Wells, James E. Webb)
*Golden Globes: Best Picture - Musical/Comedy, Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Frederic Forrest)
*BAFTA Awards: Best Actress (Bette Midler), Best Sound ((Theodore Soderberg, Douglas O. Williams, Paul Wells, James E. Webb)
*César Awards: Best Foreign Film (Mark Rydell)

Trivia

*Loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin.
*When Rose (Bette Midler) asks Dyer (Frederic Forrest) where he came from, he says "Waxahachie, Texas", which is Frederic Forrest's real home town.
*The movie was originally entitled "Pearl", which was a biographical movie based on Janis Joplin's life. When approached with the script for "Pearl", Bette Midler believed it was too soon after Joplin's death to portray her life in a movie. Rewrites were then made, with Midler's guidance, that deleted some portions of the original script and embellished other parts of the story. Then the rewritten script was named "The Rose" and Bette Midler agreed to the lead role.
*Mark Rydell would only agree to direct if he could cast Bette Midler in the lead. Up to that time, Midler had only appeared in bit parts in films, and was known primarily as a nightclub singer. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079826/trivia The Rose (1979) - Trivia ] ]

References

ee also

* The Rose (song)

External links

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