Watch The War of the Roses

The War of the Roses is a dark comedy from 1989 that stars Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito. The film is directed by DeVito himself and explores the disintegration of a seemingly perfect marriage between Barbara and Oliver Rose (Turner and Douglas). Barbara and Oliver Rose met in college, and love blossomed between the two. The pair went on to marry and build a beautiful life together, complete with a lovely home and two children. However, as time passed, the Rose's relationship began to deteriorate, and their marriage devolved into a hostile battle for control.

As the film opens, we see Barbara and Oliver in a lawyer's office, negotiating a divorce settlement. The situation is tense, and both parties are verbally attacking one another. The film then flashes back to the beginning of their relationship, and we see how they fell in love and started their family.

Throughout the film, we watch as the couple's relationship slowly crumbles. Arguments escalate, and the two become more and more vindictive toward each other. They refuse to give up anything in the divorce settlement, and soon every single possession becomes a bargaining chip in their twisted game of one-upmanship.

DeVito's character, a divorce lawyer named Gavin D'Amato, represents both Barbara and Oliver at different points in the film. He finds himself caught in the middle of their conflict and struggles to keep their disagreements from boiling over into violence.

As the divorce proceedings become more heated, tensions mount, and the couple's children become caught in the crossfire. The Roses' home, which was once a symbol of their love and togetherness, becomes the site of a bitter struggle over who will claim it in the settlement.

The War of the Roses is a black comedy that explores the dark side of human nature. It exposes the pettiness and vindictiveness that can emerge in people when they are pushed to their limits. It's a cautionary tale about the importance of communication, compromise, and the dangers of holding onto anger and resentment.

The performances in the film are outstanding, with Douglas and Turner perfectly capturing the intense emotions of a couple on the brink of divorce. Their chemistry is palpable, and their acting is nuanced and compelling. DeVito's performance as the hapless lawyer trying to navigate their toxic relationship is also excellent.

Beyond the great performances, the film's comedy is both witty and dark, and the script is cleverly constructed. The story unfolds like a tragedy, but the humor keeps the audience engaged and entertained.

In conclusion, The War of the Roses is a masterful dark comedy, with outstanding performances from its leads and an excellent script. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of holding onto anger and resentment in a relationship and serves as a warning to those who may take their partner for granted. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the darker side of human nature and the complexities of marriage and divorce.

The War of the Roses is a 1989 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 79.