Starring: Patricia Allison, Harlan Arnold, Sean Astin, Peter Brocco, Dan Castellaneta Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, THX, Widescreen, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: December 18, 2001 Running Time: 116 minutes Theatrical Release Date: December 08, 1989
Description: In this blackest of comedies, a perfect 18-year marriage suddenly becomes unglued and the gleefully evil Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver (Michael Douglas) Rose single-mindedly inflict as much misery as possible on each other. Rather than just get divorced, they declare war, fighting to the bitter end over their huge mansion and every possession in it. Not even the calculating guidance of Oliver's lawyer (Danny DeVito) can stop this uncompromisingly nasty two some as their vicious battle sends them on an increasingly dark and dangerous path.
Amazon.com: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito reunited for a third time to fabulous effect in this dark, disturbing comedy of martial trauma and revenge, which couldn't be more different from their sunnier outings in Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Douglas and Turner, in career-best performances, are the materialistic, consumer-driven Roses of the title (Oliver and Barbara) whose seemingly perfect marriage has soured beyond repair; their only point of contact, aside from their two college-bound kids, is their meticulously maintained dream house, which Douglas bought and Turner decorated to perfection. When Turner gets a taste of financial independence, she asks Douglas for divorce--all she wants is the house and everything in it (aside from his clothes and shaving kit). He laughs at her and she punches him in the face. Things only get worse from there, as nasty divorce proceedings (with DeVito as Douglas's lawyer) give way to insults, threats, ruined dinner parties, and pet abuse. And through it all, the Roses begin destroying their beloved home and its contents, just to spite each other. DeVito, who also directed, takes Michael Leeson's blacker-than-black screenplay and gives it a hyperstylized spin, complete with skewed camera angles and wonderfully expressionistic cinematography (by Stephen Burum) as Douglas and Turner barricade themselves in their house, both refusing to give an inch. Shocking for a mainstream studio picture, with its unsympathetic protagonists, escalating bitterness, and disturbing finale, Roses is a poisonously funny valentine to both marriage and '80s materialism, tempered only by its framing device as a cautionary tale. Definitely not a date movie. --Mark Englehart
Still good but starting to become "Dated" When I first saw this movie, I found it most enjoyable. Now in 2008, it has lost some of its humour. However, it is still a good & very watchable movie - but it is no londer a "great" movie.
Great husband and wife story Great DVD. Amazon delivered this dvd on time (Before the expected date), in great condition and kept me posted from the time it left them, to the time it was put into my Mailbox. Highly recomend, and definatly will be shopping with Amazon agan.
One of the best dark comedies ever. I remember seeing this one in the theater. LOVED IT!!! All these years later, STILL LOVE IT!!! One of the few movies that just gets better with age. The movie is dark. And I mean DARK!!! Hilarious for those of us with a twisted sense of humor. The cast is amazing, Danny Devito is just awesome in this movie, his role is small but he's perfect. The direction, the script, everything about this movie is just........perfect. Another movie that appears to have been forgotten and what a shame. One of the best Hollywood has ever put out, a classic and a must see/own. Highly Recommended!!!
A really interesting movie! Once you see this movie its hard to forget! Have been married for 41 years, never divorced, and after viewing this movie would never want to be either! Great Movie!
Excellent Dark Comedy That Keep's Getting Better And Better! This is a wonderful film! Everything about it, the acting, the direction, the writing, everything has a place. One of the most unique, unpredictable, and funnest film's I have ever seen. Strong performances from the entire cast. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves perfect entertainment.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
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