You are here:

The War of the Roses

Name: The War of the Roses
Director: Danny DeVito
Released: 1989
Duration: 116 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

1989

Director

Danny DeVito

Runtime

116 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film focuses narrowly on a specific social class, lacking diversity in terms of race, disability, and LGBTQ+ identities. Its homogeneity limits its broader appeal. However, the film excels in its thematic subversion. By dismantling the idealized domesticity of the nuclear family and challenging traditional gender roles, it moves away from conventional moralizing. Instead, it explores a postmodern, ego-driven chaos. Ultimately, the film is a focused character study. It prioritizes a deep, cynical examination of Western materialist values and the erosion of marital institutions over broad social representation.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The War of the Roses have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to a structure that assumes everyone is straight or cisgender. It centers on the conflict between a man and a woman without any representation of queer individuals.

How does The War of the Roses portray gender?

Good

The story challenges traditional gender roles by showing a balanced power struggle between both main characters. Neither character fits the typical nurturing or providing roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The War of the Roses?

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white and upper-middle-class. The film does not explore diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds.

How does The War of the Roses represent religion and culture?

Good

The movie critiques Western materialism and the nuclear family. It portrays the family unit as a place of psychological conflict rather than strength.

Does The War of the Roses include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities among the main characters.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by presenting a balanced power struggle between main characters.
Offers a sharp critique of Western materialism and the sanctity of the nuclear family.
Avoids moralizing by exploring a postmodern rejection of social hierarchies.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing solely on a white, upper-middle-class demographic.
Does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth perspectives.
Contains no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. When Barbara starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver and likes what she sees, the two begin a campaign to force each other to leave their house, with their divorce lawyer D'Amato caught in the middle.

How are these scores produced? →