THE ROSE
US, 1979, 125 minutes, Colour.
Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, David Keith.
Directed by Mark Rydell.
The Rose is based loosely on the life and death of rock star, Janis Joplin.
However, it was a triumphant film debut for Bette Midler and earned her an Oscar nomination. After appearing in Divine Madness and the failure, Jinxed, she was absent from the screen but returned most successfully in the mid-80s with Down And Out In Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, Outrageous Fortune. Here she has a chance to act strongly as well as to sing. The title song became a strong favourite.
There is an interesting supporting cast led by Alan Bates as well as Frederic Forrest and David Keith. Harry Dean Stanton has a powerful cameo as a singer who disapproves of Rose's singing of his songs.
The film shows something of the razzamatazz of the rock world as well as the pressure on the artists with their continued tours. Direction is by Mark Rydell who has directed a number of films ranging from The Cowboys with John Wayne to On Golden Pond.
1. An interesting and enjoyable film? Bette Midler? The rock and roll world? The basis on the life of Janis Joplin?
2. Bette Midler as a screen presence, style, star? Acting? Singing?
3. The title and its focus on Rose as a person? The symbol of the rose? As her name, on the plane? The significance of the final song - its sadness, beauty, grief, hope and new life?
4. The prologue and epilogue about death? Audiences introduced to Rose in the middle of her career? As a success? Her public persona? Foul-mouthed yet humorous, vibrant, the world of rock and roll, her rapport with the audience? The songs and their staging, the wide range? Rock and roll atmosphere? Bette Middler's delivery?
5. The theme of the Rose's career, the constant pressure's on her, on show, the reaction of the audience, the loving interaction between herself and the audience, the demands and fatigue, the press conferences? Rudge and his continued pressures, management? The tensions between the two? The talk of the holiday? her continued threats and his beating her?
6. The significance of the visit to Billy Rae: politeness, her esteem for him, the singing of the songs, her language, her playing up to Billy Rae's son? His turning on her, telling her off, warning her away from his songs and his son? The dramatic effect on her? Depression?
7. The encounter with Huston, driver, going out with him, to the club with the mimicry of all the female stars and its humorous send-up, even of her? Staying the night with him, late for the recording session, Rudge's reaction? Huston and his love for Rose? Her final fight with him after going to her hometown? The separation?
8. Mal as a soldier, admiring Rose, being her bodyguard, travelling with her, standing at the concerts?
9. Rudge and his continued pressures, style, his hold over her, treating her, twisting her words and manoeuvres, his tactics, sacking her and yet winning out? The personality of an entrepreneur and manager? His success - but at what cost?
10. Huston, the army and the football story, love, hurt, leaving and returning, driving to Florida? Rudge's call? Leaving?
11. The encounter with Sarah, the friendship, the sexual bond? The effect on the men?
12. Florida and the milk bar, meeting the man behind the bar, seeing her parents' home, talking to her parents on the phone? Her continued tiredness, the build-up of drugs, alcohol? The helicopter? her final concert, apology, singing, collapsing?
13. The world of rock and roll, the glamour of the shows, the technical know-how and technology, the bands, all the hoopla, press conferences? To what purpose?
14. A portrait of stardom, a star is born and a star dies? A phenomenon of the 20th century? The reality and unreality of the world of the rock and roll star?
