The Rose (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Bette Midler stars as Mary "The Rose" Foster, a self-destructive, outspoken rock star akin to Janis Joplin in 'The Rose' (a musical drama directed by Mark Rydell). The narrative follows her up-&-down career during her last tour, as she is hell bent to return to her Florida hometown. The 1st scene clues us in to Mary; as she stumbles out of a plane dropping a bottle of liquor. Though a big success, Mary is terribly lonely & thoroughly exhausted, but is forced to continue working by her ruthless, greedy, Svengali-like business manager, Rudge (Alan Bates); he boldly reminds her of her contractual obligations.
Though loud & brassy, Mary is actually an intensely insecure alcoholic & former drug user who haphazardly craves approval in her life. She embarks on a romance with a limo driving drifter named Huston Dyer (Frederic Forrest), who is actually an AWOL Army sergeant. Her lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock & roll + the non-stop touring leads her to an inevitable breakdown and, high-as-a-kite ... she faces her greatest test performing for her home town fans. Drama ensues.
Academy Award-nominated Bette Midler is great in both the singing & dramatic department in her 1st major film and, the script smartly fuses the real-life, tragic Janis Joplin-like self-destructive performer story with Bette Midler's own real-life act. Many people thought Midler would win the Oscar a la Barbra Streisand in her breakout Funny Girl role, but she just fell short to Sally Field in the equally popular {with audiences & the Academy} Norma Rae. I think Midler lost because, while she's a hugely charismatic performer & executes a devastating pay phone scene late in the story ... ya kinda sorta know you're watching Midler, and not an original character. She conveys genuine emotion VERY well, but all the 'Midler ticks' are present throughout.
Still, Midler gives it her all. 'The Rose' was pivotal in kick-starting Midler's acting career; we already knew she could sing & entertain to the hilt. And the hit theme became her signature song. There are stand-out songs such as "Midnight in Memphis", "Keep on Rockin", "When a Man Loves a Woman" & the brutal climactic "Stay with Me" {where she's practically begging for her life in song}. But the emotionally powerful "The Rose" is the song that made the film a hit & Midler a superstar. Frederic Forrest was Oscar-nominated here {he was great in 1979's Apocalypse Now, too}, and I also admire Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography. This film overflows with cliches & sappiness, but the inherent drama in the tale & Midler pull us through.
Though loud & brassy, Mary is actually an intensely insecure alcoholic & former drug user who haphazardly craves approval in her life. She embarks on a romance with a limo driving drifter named Huston Dyer (Frederic Forrest), who is actually an AWOL Army sergeant. Her lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock & roll + the non-stop touring leads her to an inevitable breakdown and, high-as-a-kite ... she faces her greatest test performing for her home town fans. Drama ensues.
Academy Award-nominated Bette Midler is great in both the singing & dramatic department in her 1st major film and, the script smartly fuses the real-life, tragic Janis Joplin-like self-destructive performer story with Bette Midler's own real-life act. Many people thought Midler would win the Oscar a la Barbra Streisand in her breakout Funny Girl role, but she just fell short to Sally Field in the equally popular {with audiences & the Academy} Norma Rae. I think Midler lost because, while she's a hugely charismatic performer & executes a devastating pay phone scene late in the story ... ya kinda sorta know you're watching Midler, and not an original character. She conveys genuine emotion VERY well, but all the 'Midler ticks' are present throughout.
Still, Midler gives it her all. 'The Rose' was pivotal in kick-starting Midler's acting career; we already knew she could sing & entertain to the hilt. And the hit theme became her signature song. There are stand-out songs such as "Midnight in Memphis", "Keep on Rockin", "When a Man Loves a Woman" & the brutal climactic "Stay with Me" {where she's practically begging for her life in song}. But the emotionally powerful "The Rose" is the song that made the film a hit & Midler a superstar. Frederic Forrest was Oscar-nominated here {he was great in 1979's Apocalypse Now, too}, and I also admire Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography. This film overflows with cliches & sappiness, but the inherent drama in the tale & Midler pull us through.