The War of the Roses

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The War of the Roses

R,

1989,

1h 56m,

Comedy

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84%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After 17 years of marriage, Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) want out. The trouble is, neither one wants to part with their opulent home. So begins a long war between husband and wife, reaching farcical heights that leave much of the house -- not to mention their lives -- in shambles. The couple's children (Sean Astin, Heather Fairfield) watch in horror while lawyer Gavin D'Amato (Danny DeVito) tries his best to stem the bloodshed.

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Critics Consensus

The War of the Roses is a black comedy made even funnier by hanging onto its caustic convictions -- and further distinguished by Danny DeVito's stylish direction.

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Robyn Karney

Empire Magazine

Feb 11, 2008

4/5

Wildly funny and deeply disturbing.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Feb 11, 2008

3/4

DeVito's taste for unorthodox camera angles and striking camera movements occasionally verges on overreaching but for the most part admirably serves the action.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Feb 11, 2008

Trying to wring yocks from a deranged couple locked in mortal combat over possession of their house is more suited to film noir than black comedy.

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Sep 29, 2025

4/5

Danny DeVito's direction is a star of the film, clever, adroit, full of visual jokes and clues to what's coming.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Aug 28, 2025

This movie was the definitive film about what not to do in life, marriage and divorce.

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Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

Aug 27, 2025

3/5

Not as good as the remake, but still full of funny moments if you like dark comedy that favors the male point of view. Of course, the chemistry between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner is off the charts.

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Mar 8, 2019

I hate this movie, and the ending is one of the worst endings in movie history

Draco L

Dec 11, 2018

True tragedy about greed and dead love in a withering marriage. Funny and dark . At somepoints quite serious and at others dull but overall its enjoyable.

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Poe L

Oct 14, 2018

first, i just love kathleen tuner. ?? and i also love dark comedies...so i really enjoyed this movie! follows a couple from their first date through their very contentious divorce.

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Finn R

Apr 6, 2018

https://letterboxd.com/edmundpoliks/film/the-war-of-the-roses/

Hagrid W

Mar 9, 2018

Great movie about a marriage gone to HELL!

Luke L

Dec 28, 2017

"Once in a lifetime comes a motion picture that makes you feel like falling in love all over again. This is not that movie." Trust me, I know exactly what that movie is. I thought this is the third movie starring Michael, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito and all I get is a different movie with character names changing. First of all, in two films they have Jack Colton, Joan Wilder and Ralph and now they changed into Oliver and Barbara Rose and Gavin D'Amato. What the hell happened all that time? Apparently the film had no narration from Kathleen Turner just like in two films she did and she's not a novelist anymore and Danny DeVito is not a crook and Michael Douglas is not a hero anymore. All they have here is very different. I mean, yeah, Danny DeVito narrating and directing it and, yeah, this is going to be funny and, yes, this movie really is funny. The end battle is hilarious as f£$k and I also laughed at the scene that Oliver eats pate but thinks it's dog food. That had me laughing! The rest of the film is funny, hilarious and well acted. The cinematography is great, it's like something in the 40's and 50's. That's really impressive! If you think this is the third of the trilogy just like me, this is not the trilogy. This is a film that is different than any film with three actors/actress then I think The War of the Roses of the film for you. Give it watch and see if it'll laugh your @$$ off.

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Danny DeVito

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Michael Douglas

Oliver Rose

Kathleen Turner

Barbara Rose

Danny DeVito

Gavin D'Amato

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Synopsis

After 17 years of marriage, Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) want out. The trouble is, neither one wants to part with their opulent home. So begins a long war between husband and wife, reaching farcical heights that leave much of the house -- not to mention their lives -- in shambles. The couple's children (Sean Astin, Heather Fairfield) watch in horror while lawyer Gavin D'Amato (Danny DeVito) tries his best to stem the bloodshed.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: James L. Brooks, Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: Michael Leeson
Production Co: Gracie Films, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $84.1M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround

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