WAR OF THE ROSES

US, 1989, 116 minutes, Colour.
Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny de Vito, Marianne Sagerbrecht, Sean Astin.
Directed by Danny de Vito.

War of the Roses is not a piece of English history. It focuses on the 18-year-old marriage of Oliver and Barbara Rose. It is a black comedy which did not appeal to a lot of people who expected a rather lighter and more comically realistic story.

The film stars Danny de Vito who also directed the movie. However, it is a star vehicle for Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara - falling in love, each changing during the marriage, the break-up and the vicious divorce and literal battle. The three stars had appeared in the comedy adventures, Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile. An added bonus is the brief appearance of Marianne Sagerbracht, the genial star of Bagdad Cafe.

The film should not be taken literally - as de Vito in his narrative says it is a fairy tale - and then it turns extremely black.

1.Comedy? Black fable? Point about marriage? The ultimate impressions of the audience?

2.Production values, locations, the homes and the changing values, affluence? The decoration of the home? The musical score and the moods? The work of Danny de Vito? The cast?

3.The title and its resonances, English history, civil war, battles, the name of the family and the beauty of the rose?

4.The theme of marriage: beginnings, falling in love, development, hopes, changes, different pace of change for each, the break, fault-finding, coasting along, children, age, collapse - and the point of no return?

5.Gavin and his story: Danny de Vito's presence, confidential tone, telling the story to his mute client? His comic style and innuendo? Information about the stages of the break-up? The stylised background, the fairy tale turning to horror story? Ironic touches, flip touches? The end and the strong moral tradition being highlighted? The mute listener hurrying out the door?

6.Oliver and Barbara - as young, attracted to each other, their age, the auction and the rivalry? Barbara outdoing Oliver with the auction and the possessions? Sign of things to come? The chase, in the rain, their love for each other, hopes, fears? Marriage?

7.The passing of the years, the children? Christmas decorations - and the tinsel star? The children eating sweets? Oliver and his work, success? Working hard? Barbara as mother? The gift of the car and Oliver's joy?
8.The dinner for the partners, Gavin's presence, his sexy date and her behaviour? The yuppy atmosphere? Everything just so? Barbara and her catering? The fiasco of the story about the buying of the glass? The fight in the room, the attack on the laugh? The growing tensions?

9.The passing years, the fat children? Barbara and her wanting the house, going and talking with the widow? Their owning the house? The passing of the years and Barbara's decorating it? Furnishing - and then what? Oliver and his growing success, bringing home his work, ignoring Barbara? Her catering? The interview with Susan - Barbara's reluctance, yet employing her?

10.The 18 years, the children growing up, relationship with them, going to college? The beginnings of the break-up? Oliver not realising it? Barbara pushing it? His attack in the restaurant, going to hospital, feeling as if he was going to die, writing the note? Phone call? Barbara not going to the hospital? Gavin coming, their going home in the train? The night, announcing the divorce, the reaction of each and handling it?

11.The lawyer, the meeting, the argument and the deal, the argument about the house, Barbara using the note written by Oliver when he thought he was dying? Gavin and Oliver and his trying to persuade him, his being fired? Barbara's seductive visit? Oliver and the house plan and square footage? His having to leave, the legal basis for his return? Tension at home, the kids, their going back to college? Each ignoring the other, hurting the other? the Christmas decorations - the daughter in the car, the fire?

12.The couple going berserk? The gourmet meal and the guests, Oliver's revengeful behaviour with the food? Barbara and the car crushing the car? The house, the chandelier, the physical fighting? Each of them on the chandelier - talking, the crash? Reconciliation or not? The final tableau - united in death?

13.Gavin, his friendship, intervention? His own marriage? His final comments?

14.Susan, the interview, her helping in the house, her studying, attacked by Oliver by mistake, her return?

15.The overall comic and black effect of this portrait of a marriage collapsing? How credible?