The Rose (film)

The Rose is a 1979 American 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.[4]

The Rose
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Rydell
Produced byAaron Russo
Marvin Worth
Anthony Ray
Screenplay byBo Goldman
Bill Kerby
Story byBill Kerby
StarringBette Midler
Alan Bates
Frederic Forrest
Music byPaul A. Rothchild (Mendelssohn – Piano concerto no 1, 2nd movement, the Rose)
CinematographyVilmos Zsigmond
Edited byRobert L. Wolfe
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • November 7, 1979 (1979-11-07) (New York City)
[1]
Running time
134 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$9.3 million[2]
Box office$29.2 million (US/Canada)[3]

The story is loosely based on the life of singer Janis Joplin. Originally titled Pearl, after Joplin's nickname which was also the title of her last album, the film was fictionalized after her family declined to allow the producers the rights to her story.[5] It was written by Bill Kerby and Bo Goldman from a story by Kerby. It was directed by Mark Rydell.[4]

The Rose was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Bette Midler, in her screen debut), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Frederic Forrest), Best Film Editing and Best Sound.[6]

Midler performed the soundtrack album for the film, and its title track became one of her biggest hit singles.

Plot

In late 1969, Mary Rose Foster (Bette Midler) is a famous rock and roll diva known as The Rose. In spite of her success, her personal life is lonely and exhausting. She is exploited and overworked by her gruff, greedy manager and promoter Rudge Campbell (Alan Bates). 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 (Harry Dean Stanton) whose songs she performs in her show, Rose takes off with a limousine driver named Huston Dyer (Frederic Forrest) and begins a romance with him. Rudge thinks Huston is just another hanger on, but Rose thinks she has finally met her true love. Huston 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 "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll", constant touring, and Huston's jealousy over Rose's lesbian lover Sarah lead her to an inevitable breakdown at a tour stop in Memphis. Huston and Rose break up and she returns to her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, with PFC Mal, whom she met in Texas, as a security escort, telling him about her past.

Arriving at the stadium for afternoon rehearsals for her concert, Rose repeats her intention to take a one-year break from performing, leading Rudge to tell her she will be in breach of contract and tells her she's fired (a ploy, his "ace in the hole", to keep her performing). Dyer reappears and they realize that they can now leave and be together. She takes him on a tour of bars and music joints in her town. Their reunion ends when Rudge reaches her on their car phone and convinces her to return for the concert, causing Dyer to give up on her and leave town. Finally, Rose collapses on stage and dies (from an overdose of alcohol, barbiturates and heroin) in the opening minutes of her long-awaited homecoming concert.

Cast

Suzy Williams was originally offered the title role, but turned it down for personal reasons, instead suggesting it to Bette Midler.[7]

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.[8] At one point, Michael Cimino was also slated to direct, but he chose to direct Heaven's Gate instead. Cimino did, however, make uncredited contributions to the script.[9]

The Rose was completed in time for a scheduled release in April 1979; however, 20th Century-Fox elected to postpone release til autumn 1979:(Mark Rydell quote:)"[at] Easter time...the public seems to like frothy films."[10]

Reception

The Rose has a 78% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 18 reviews.[11]

The film opened in New York City on Wednesday, November 7, 1979 and grossed $793,063 in its opening weekend from 44 screens, the second highest-grossing opening weekend on under 50 screens behind Star Wars (1977).[12] The film went on to gross $29.2 million in the United States and Canada.[3]

Awards and nominations
Award Category Nominee(s) Result
Academy Awards Best Actress Bette Midler Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Frederic Forrest Nominated
Best Film Editing Robert L. Wolfe and C. Timothy O'Meara Nominated
Best Sound Theodore Soderberg, Douglas Williams, Paul Wells and Jim Webb Nominated
British Academy Film Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Bette Midler Nominated
Best Sound Theodore Soderberg, Douglas O. Williams, Paul Wells and James E. Webb Nominated
César Awards Best Foreign Film Mark Rydell Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy The Rose Nominated
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Bette Midler Won
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Frederic Forrest Nominated
Best Original Song – Motion Picture "The Rose" – Amanda McBroom Won
New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture – Female Bette Midler Won
National Society of Film Critics Awards Best Actress Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Frederic Forrest Won
New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Actress Bette Midler Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Frederic Forrest Nominated
SESC Film Festival Best Foreign Film Mark Rydell Won

Others

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Home video

The Criterion Collection released the film on Blu-ray and DVD on May 19, 2015.[14]

See also

References
  1. The Rose at the American Film Institute Catalog
  2. Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History, Scarecrow Press, 1989 p259
  3. "The Rose". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  4. "The Rose". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  5. Elan, Priya. "Is the Janis Joplin biopic finally going to be filmed? Don't hold your breath", The Guardian, August 7, 2010. WebCitation archive.
  6. "The 52nd Academy Awards (1980) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  7. "Suzy Williams Official Bio". Laughtears. 2018.
  8. Gray, Sadie. "Ten big things I have learnt from my mistakes - Times Online". The Times. Registration required
  9. Stempel, Tom (2000). Framework: A History of Screenwriting in the American Film. ISBN 9780815606543.pages 228-229
  10. Cedar Rapids Gazetter 1 January 1979 "Show Business Beat" by Marilyn Beck p.7C
  11. "The Rose (1979)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  12. "All-Time Opening Weekends: 50 Screens or Less". Daily Variety. September 20, 1994. p. 24.
  13. "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs" (PDF). American Film Institute. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  14. "The Rose (1979)". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
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