The Rose (1979)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(8,558 ratings)

Bette Midler stars as Rose in this somber drama loosely based on the life of the late Janis Joplin. She plays an ill-fated singer who succumbs to the pressures of performing by indulging in drugs and alcohol. Her sweetheart Dyer (Frederic Forrest) is the former chauffeur who naively tries to save… More Bette Midler stars as Rose in this somber drama loosely based on the life of the late Janis Joplin. She plays an ill-fated singer who succumbs to the pressures of performing by indulging in drugs and alcohol. Her sweetheart Dyer (Frederic Forrest) is the former chauffeur who naively tries to save her from self destruction, while her British manager Rudge (Alan Bates) is ultimately blamed for not preventing her inevitable fall. The story mirrors any one of a number of popular singers who have fallen victim to the excess of success. Midler and Forrest were nominated for Oscars for their performances, with Best Editing laurels given to Timothy O'Meara and Robert Wolf. The Rose was a box office smash and was the plum role that elevated Midler to star status in the eyes of the public and Hollywood. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Mark Rydell
Written By: Bo Goldman, Bill Kerby
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Nov 7, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Aug 19, 2003

Critic Reviews

Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
A very compelling performance by Midler bolsters this musical biopic
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Simply riveting, Bette Midler gives a volcanic, Oscar-nominated performance in this loose adaptation of the tragic life of singer Janis Joplin.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Powerful story, brilliant central performance
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
For rock fans, this is pretty sacred stuff. It has its emotional moments.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
I was expecting a camp-fest, something I'm more than happy to watch. But I was totally unprepared for the emotional honesty and complexity of the film.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Lenny by way of John Waters.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Although this is another movie about a rock star, it's one of the best, it's more realistic and dramatic than others. Plus the songs are good too. I loved this movie, if you like rock movies you'll like it too.
Randy T

This one has lost a little of it's allure down through the years but it's still a powerful performance from Bette Midler.
Lee K

They say this was loosely based on Janis Joplins life but i dont see that. in fact i dont see any similarities at all except the psychadelic bouncing blobs of paint throbbing on the big screen behind her when she performs. What I did see however was a damn great fictional bio on a… More
They say this was loosely based on Janis Joplins life but i dont see that. in fact i dont see any similarities at all except the psychadelic bouncing blobs of paint throbbing on the big screen behind her when she performs. What I did see however was a damn great fictional bio on a star bent on destroying herself with pharmaceudicals and alcohol like so many rock stars did in the early 70's. Midler pulls off the charector Rose like it was herself that she was portraying. Great voice and acting skills i dont think couldve been pulled off by any other actress. Kudos here also to the movie's soundtrack which as we speak after re-watching this hidden gem am frantically scowering Amazon.com's cd library for. Had to tip my hat off to both Frederick Forrest and Alan Bates who both did solid acting jobs in this as well. I will never understand why alot of stars dive straight into the chemicals and poison themselves during their career. Some make it out alive (the wonder of modern science Keith Richards) and alot dont. Is fame and fortune too much to bear that they are only looking to escape? Is it the papparazzi? Shyness being in front of a million screaming fans? Or is it the fact of the millions of dollars that comes with the job if you make it that big, that lets you party your head off? I guess i'll never find out but i sure do wonder.

Cast

            Bette Midler as Rose

            Alan Bates as Rudge

            Frederic Forrest as Dyer

            Harry Dean Stanton as Billy Ray

            Barry Primus as Dennis

            David Keith as Mal

            Sandra McCabe as Sarah

            Will Hare as Mr. Leonard

            Rudy Bond as Monty

            Don Calfa as Don Frank

            James Keane as Dealer

            Michael Greer as Emcee

            Doris Roberts as Rose's Mother

            Sandy Ward as Rose's Father

            Luke Andreas
            
            Jonathan Banks as TV Promoter

            Hildy Brooks
            
            Pat Corley
            
            Richard Dioguardi as Trucker

            Hugh Gillin
            
            Seamon Glass
            
            John Dennis Johnston as Milledge

            Harry Northrup
            
            Jack O'Leary as Short Order Cook

            Claude Sacha as Female Impersonator

            Frank Speiser
            
            Chip Zien
            
            David Garfield
            
            Sandra Seacat
            
            Jack Starrett
            
            Dennis Erdman
            
            Jack Hollander
            
            Cherie Latimer
            
            Annie McGuire
            
            Allison Caine
            
            Ralph Roberts as Doorman
See full cast

The Rose (1979)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Randy T

Lee K

Cast