Taglines: She gave and gave, until she had nothing left to give.
The Rose movie synopsis. Bette Midler plays The Rose, a female rock star strikingly similar to Janis Joplin. This movie follows Rose’s career during her last tour, as she’s determined to return to her Florida hometown. Although a success, she’s exhausted and lonely, but continued working by her gruff and greedy manager.
Though loud and brassy, Rose is an insecure alcoholic and former drug user who seems to crave approval in her life. She begins a romance with a limousine driver, who’s actually an A.W.O.L. Sergeant from the United States Army. Her rock and roll lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and constant touring, lead her to an inevitable breakdown.
The Rose is a 1979 American drama film which tells the story of a self-destructive 1960s rock star who struggles to cope with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of her ruthless business manager. The film stars Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus, and David Keith.
The story is loosely based on the life of singer Janis Joplin. Originally titled Pearl, after Joplin’s nickname which was also the title of her last album, the film was fictionalized after her family declined to allow the producers the rights to her story. It was written by Bill Kerby and Bo Goldman from a story by Kerby. It was directed by Mark Rydell.
The Rose was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Bette Midler, in her screen debut), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Frederic Forrest), Best Film Editing and Best Sound. Midler performed the soundtrack album for the film, and its title track became one of her biggest hit singles.
The Rose (1979)
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Starring: Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus, David Keith, Sandra McCabe, Will Hare, Rudy Bond, Doris Roberts, James Keane, Sandy Ward
Screenplay by: Bo Goldman, Bill Kerby
Production Design by: Richard Macdonald
Cinematography by: Vilmos Zsigmond
Film Editing by: Carroll Timothy O’Meara, Robert L. Wolfe
Costume Design by: Theoni V. Aldredge
Set Decoration by: Bruce Weintraub
Art Direction by: James L. Schoppe
Music by: Paul A. Rothchild
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: November 7, 1979 (New York City)
Visits: 97