The War of the Roses (1989)
- Starring:
- Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, (more)
- Director(s):
- Danny DeVito
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
Synopsis of The War of the Roses
Divorce lawyer Danny De Vito warns his prospective client that the story he's about to tell isn't a pretty one, but the client listens with eager intensity -- as do the folks out there in the movie in the audience. The War of the Roses can best be described as a slapstick tragedy concerning the decline and literal fall of a marriage. After 17 years, Oliver (Michael Douglas) and Barbara (Kathleen Turner) Rose want a divorce. Not for this couple is there anything resembling a "civilized understanding": Barbara wants their opulent house, and Oliver isn't about to part with the domicile. Barbara nails the basement door shut while Oliver is downstairs, Oliver disrupts Barbara's fancy party by taking aim at the catered dinner, Barbara lays waste to Oliver's sports car....and so it goes, culminating in a disastrous showdown around, about and under the living room's fancy chandelier. DeVito and screenwriter Michael Leeson never let us forget that the couple's self-indulgent imbroglio exacts an awful price upon their children (Sean Astin and Heather Fairfield). The War of the Roses was adapted from the novel by Warren Adler. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 116 mins
Complete Cast of The War of the Roses
- Michael Douglas - Oliver Rose
- Danny DeVito - Gavin D'Amato
- Sean Astin - Josh, Age 17
- G.D. Spradlin - Harry Thurmont
- Trenton Teigen - Josh, Age 10
- Mary Fogarty - Mrs. Dell
- Dan Castellaneta - Man in Chair
- Peter Brocco - Elderly Mourner
- Patricia Allison - Maureen
- Robert Harper - Heath
- Popeye the Dog - Bennie
- Eunice Suarez - Latin Woman
- David Wohl - Dr. Gordon
- Vickilyn Reynolds - Nancy, Oliver's Secretary
- Rika Hofmann - Elke
- Mary Donohue - Carolyn, Age 3
- Danitra Vance - Manicurist Trainee
- Peter Hansen - Mr. Marshall
- Jeffrey Thomas - Orderly
- Morris Jones - Anchorman
- Tony Crane - Teenage Boy
- Kathleen Turner - Barbara Rose
- Marianne Sägebrecht - Susan
- Heather Fairfield - Carolyn, Age 17
- Peter Donat - Larrabee
- Bethany McKinney - Carolyn, Age 10
- Sue Palka - Anchorwoman
- Roy Brocksmith - Mr. Fisk
- Harlan Arnold - Mr. Dell
- Michael Adler - Dr. Hillerman
- Shaun Wickers - Josh, Age 3
- Fred Scialla - Stand-In
- Jacqueline Cassell - Gavin's Secretary
- Tyler the Cat - Kitty Kitty the Cat
- Prince Hughes - Bleeding Man
- Gloria Cromwell - Mrs. Marshall
- Susan Isaacs - Auctioneer's Assistant
- Philip Perlman - Bidder at Auction
- Shirley Mitchell - Mrs. Dewitt
- Julia Elliott - Latin Assistant
- Lisa Howard - Nurse
- Ellen Crawford - Nurse
- Director(s):
- Danny DeVito
- Writer(s):
- Michael Leeson, Warren Adler
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children)
- Categories:
- Comedy
- Looking for special editions of The War of the Roses?
- See All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
