Back to the 1989 Rose War, signed Danny Devito

A great classic of black comedy, carried by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.

Today, Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch are tearing in the cinema in the new version of The Rose War. This is of course a modern remake of the 1989 classic, black comedy model produced by Danny Devito. A social satire with a creaky humor which hid, in passing, a tragicomic charge against the institution of bourgeois marriage obsessed with material possessions, transforming a divorce into a destructive battlefield.

From book to film

Even before this adaptation to the cinema, there is the caustic novel by Warren Adler (published in 1981), which recounts the slow derives from an apparently perfect couple – the pink – whose love gives way to hatred, to self -destruction. Adler’s novel followed Jonathan and Barbara Rose. For the screen, they became Oliver and Barbara Rose, camped by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. In 2025, the more British remake renamed the couple Theo and Ivy Rose, this time embodied by Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Wink to history

The title, Rose Warrefers to the Deux-Roses Wara well -known episode of British history, which opposed the houses of York and Lancastre to the 15th century for the throne of England.

A separate role for Michael Douglas

In 1989, the actor was 45 years old and he was at the top: he came out of Fatal linkhas just won the Oscar for his Gordon Gekko from Wall Street And the same year turned the Neo-Noir thriller Black Rain by Ridley Scott. Serious, dark roles. A priori, black comedy is not really its register. He himself admitted to first a few years ago: “I am not really known as an actor of comedy. I did in pursuit of the green diamond, the Rose War or Wonder Boys. Some roles like that … but no more.”

Danny Devito, old friend and accomplice

To the controllers of Rose Warwe find Danny Devito. The actor signs his second feature film there and brought in his partners from In pursuit of green diamonds And Nile diamond. Indeed, in 1984 and 1985, the couple Douglas / Turner was at the heart of the American adventure with these two popcorn films, in which Devito also appears. Their alchemy is already established. And it is no coincidence: Michael Douglas and Danny Devito have been friends for a long time. He told us: “Danny is a very old friend. We were roommates in New York, just after college. We were a bit of an old couple. After I went to California, but we are still very close. “

A Goonies casting

Among the supporting roles, there is a young Sean Astin, just out of Goonieswhich embodies the couple’s son. The cast also counts Philip Perlman, a stepfather of Devito in real life (he is the father of Rhea Perlman, wife of the actor at the time).

An end without compromise

The studios dreamed of a softened conclusion, suggesting that Oliver and Barbara could survive their final fall. But Turner, Douglas and Devito were good: there is no question of sweetening. They imposed a radical, cruel and unforgettable outcome – which did a lot for the reputation of the film.

Colossal success

With 30 million budgets, the film earns more than $ 160 million worldwide (87 m in the United States, 73 m internationally). In France, it attracts almost 1 million spectators. It is the greatest success as a director for Devito (six films to his credit).

Critical recognition

Danny Devito will find the consecration by being retained in the official selection for the golden bear in Berlin thanks to this film, which will also be a place of choice during the Golden Globes 1990: appointment for Kathleen Turner (best comedy/musical actress) and for Michael Douglas (best actor).

The success of the film seen by Danny Devito

In an interview at first, the director of Rose War thus analyzed the success of his comedy:

“I think I like it when things are not what they seem to be, when there is surprise, duality in the characters. Rose, this is the perfect example: They meet, everything is perfect, sex is great and then at one point, it shit in the fan. (Laughs.) I don’t know if it’s very original, but I do it with my sensitivity. I have been taking a concept that has existed for a long time and I pass it to the mixer. It remains a structure in three acts, but you torture your characters a little, you put a bamboo stroke at the right time and you watch them to be agitated! “