Review of The War of the Roses (1989) by Seppo Ä — 18 Dec 2007
This divorce comedy has a good setup but doesn't quite deliver as it should. The comic and dramatic potential of the marriage break-up never properly ignites, and as a cautionary tale it doesn't work since the moral is obvious and rather patronising.
The fun screwball sections undercut the moralistic denouement anyway, which makes it frustrating that DeVito doesn't go down that route more often here, as the humour sections are the most effective parts of the film.
DeVito makes an interesting narrator, though I'm not sure of the efficacy of the framing narrative he inhabits, and Douglas and Turner do the job as warring ex-spouses. I want to like it more, as there is undoubtedly good film-making on show here, but somehow this doesn't do quite enough.
This review of The War of the Roses (1989) was written by Seppo Ä on 18 Dec 2007.
The War of the Roses has generally received positive reviews.
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