Love, Loss, and Laughter: Deconstructing The War of the Roses

The War of the Roses, 1989

Directed By: Danny DeVito

Link to Trailer



"The War of the Roses" film from 1989, directed by Danny DeVito. The plot follows Oliver Rose's former happy marriage to Barbara, a stunning and brilliant woman, is told by the successful attorney. The Roses, who were at first very in love, discover that their union begins to fail as time goes on. The turning point occurs when Oliver chooses to pursue partnership at his legal practice, prioritizing his professional goals over his wife's emotional needs. As the couple's frustration increases, bitterness and animosity start beneath the surface. Barbara chooses to file for divorce because she feels unloved and abandoned. But when it comes to their shared home, a reminder of their past happiness, neither of them are prepared to compromise. A crude, crazy, and more destructive struggle for control of the house unfolds. The Roses convert their once-lovely home into a battleground by employing a number of ridiculous and vindictive strategies. As their argument intensifies, valued possessions are destroyed and physical fights reach crazy levels. The movie examines the dark humorous aspects of divorce and the dissolution of a once-loving partnership among the chaos. Oliver and Barbara both consider their activities and the toll it takes on their lives as the battle intensifies. In demonstrating the destructive nature of their fixation with worldly items and the toll it takes on their personal well-being, the film's finale is both ironic and heartbreaking.

The home that Oliver and Barbara Rose share serves as the Plot Device in "The War of the Roses," or the main motivation behind the story. Their bitter divorce negotiations center on the house. Although it firstly appears to be a simple dispute about land, the mansion actually represents much more. 

The 3 main acts of the film begin with Oliver and Barbara Rose establishing their marriage's initial happiness. The film starts to make hints about the relationship's problems, especially when Oliver puts his profession above their emotional connection. Barbara makes the decision to file for divorce, which sets off the main argument about who would get to keep their house.

The Roses' divorce battle escalates into a ridiculous and rude conflict. Their emotional fight is figuratively fought in the house. The intensity of their escalating behavior, including legal disputes, physical confrontations, and the destruction of private property, is apparent. The absurd and exaggerated extent to which the Roses will go in order to win are where the humor in the movie comes from.

The Roses's concern with the house causes harm to their personal wellbeing, which is when the conflict hits its peak. Both characters consider the full cost of their destructive conflict as the effects of their acts become clear. The movie has a touching and ironic ending that emphasizes the larger issues of materialism and the breakdown of a once loving relationship.

Oliver is introduced in the movie as a successful attorney with high aspirations for his career. His decision to put his career ahead of his wife, however, proves to be a flaw that caused his marriage to Barbara to fall apart. Oliver considers the effects of his actions and shows regret for how the divorce progressed toward the end of the film. As he struggles with the knowledge that his pursuit of achievement has come at the expense of his personal happiness, his character changes.

Barbara, who was at first a devoted and helpful wife, changes as a result of her longing for independence. Her brave choice to file for divorce shows her willingness to leave a marriage that no longer makes her happy. 

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