MovieChat Forums > The War of the Roses (1989) Discussion > Not A Comedy`

Not A Comedy`

posted 10 years ago by dondi_v
29 replies | jump to latest

I just rewatched the movie last week and have realized this film has been miscategorized for decades. It is not a comedy. Sure, Danny DeVito offers comic relief, and there are some laughs in the bickering and escalating one-uppances, but this film is actually a more serious, subtle and ultimately sad commentary on a doomed marriage.
And Kathleen Turner's hatred is palpable in that last scene when she brushes away Michael Douglas' hand. Still gave me a shiver more than twenty years after!

[–] LemonTastic 10 years ago

It's a black comedy.

[–] dondi_v 10 years ago

Yup, as you and everybody else has classified it :)
Black comedy is defined as an unusually humorous or satirical treatment of a taboo or serious subject, and maybe the classification for the movie was a reflection of its time. Today, I see it as hyperbolic but definitely non-sarcastic.

[–] LemonTastic 10 years ago

I get it. You're one of those people who have to find a deeper meaning to a film.

This is a black comedy because it takes a serious subject, most times a dark subject, like this film a marriage breakdown, and adds some humour to the darkest parts.

[–] dondi_v 10 years ago

Nah, unfortunately you dont.

I will give you your opinion that this is a black comedy, since you and mainstream media seem to think so (and as even I have said, an obvious reaction to a first viewing during its first release). But a recent screening has made me realize that this film is earnest (in the words of one mainstream review "... so unremitting that we find we cannot laugh...") -- and as such, tragic.

But seriously? "... you are one of those people who have to find a deeper meaning to a film."? I find it a bit sad that while i thought we were having an intellectual debate here, picking each other's brains out, you felt the need to indulge in sarcasm, which, as defined by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, is the last refuge of modest people when their souls are invaded.

[–] LemonTastic 10 years ago

I can't have an "intellectual Debate" about films because that's just what they are, films. They have no other purpose than to entertain, apart from the ones that pretentious artsy film students make.

[–] dondi_v 10 years ago

I get it. Youre a troll.

[–] LemonTastic 10 years ago

So because I have a different opinion then you, it means I'm a troll? I think someone needs to find out what being a troll actually is

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

How does one have a debate absent intellect? Sock puppets?

[–] TheJesusAndMaryChain 10 years ago

God, you're pretentious.

- If you love Jesus, stay away from me...

[–] chuggliams 10 years ago

Wow- maybe you two should consider a divorce.... Who's getting the house?!

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

There is NOTHING pretentious about The Lord God.

You, on your pitiful little self, on the other hand . . .

are unworthy.

[–] stanleyhetz 8 years ago

I get it. You're one of those people who have to find a deeper meaning to a film.

This is a black comedy because it takes a serious subject, most times a dark subject, like this film a marriage breakdown, and adds some humour to the darkest parts.



[–] MELlSANDRE 9 years ago

"Black comedy is defined as an unusually humorous or satirical treatment of a taboo or serious subject ..."

Hello?

The War of the Roses is a Black Comedy.

I do not have Attention Deficit Disor ... Ooooh, look at the bunny!

[–] daughterofolaf 10 years ago

I have to agree that I do not see this as a comedy and I don't see it as black comedy either. There may be a couple of parts that are worth a chuckle but that's about all. This isn't reay a movie that I find easy to label but it sure doesn't fit under comedy or black comedy, in my book anyway. Towards the end it borders on being a horror movie, lol.

"It's Minnie Pearl's murder weapon."

[–] marilynnewman 9 years ago

You mean like "The Loved One"? Or "The Abominable Dr. Phibes"?

I found both of those hysterical beyond belief. I haven't watched the "War of the Roses", but if it's a black comedy, they're some of my favorites. I'll have to give it a look.

[–] brockmeeks 9 years ago

I knew this movie was tough, but damn OP, settle down. It's not a drama. I don't think you got the movie and in the process you insulted several people to force your opinion on us.

[–] njgill 9 years ago

It's definitely a (black) comedy - what it is NOT (as IMDB labels it) is a romance!

The War of the Roses (1989)
R | 116 min | Comedy, Romance | 8 December 1989 (USA)

[–] leilani-kyle 8 years ago

Oh my. Definitely agree here. I can't believe they would label it that. Holy crap. I pity the poor couple who go into this thinking its a romantic comedy because of IMDB, haha.

[–] nmitrione (293) 6 years ago

Definitely not a good first date movie. :)

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

A satire is In NO WAY necessarily funny. A satire is a lampoon, a mockery, a pillory, all of which I am visiting on the illiterate OP right fucking now. Most famous satire in English: Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” Not ONE chuckle in it, but it’s nonetheless brilliant in its darkness. The OP, like so many others of you, confuses satire with sarcasm. Sarcasm is the lowest form of attempted wit. It depends on spoken vocal inflection, always from a teenage girl, to drive it home. Sarcasm is the self-administered hand job of comedy.

To keep this brief and stop wasting my time: dark comedies are To Die For, The War of the Roses and Ruthless People. Dark comedies are for educated people with sophisticated and Saturnine
(hence DARK, duh) tastes.

[–] findyourwayinthedark 9 years ago

It's definitely a satirical comedy.

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 9 years ago

It's not exactly an emotional drama like Kramer vs Kramer either. So, if this isn't a comedy or a drama, what would you classify War of The Roses as?

[–] leilani-kyle 8 years ago

'Difficult to Watch'

[–] ArielBL 9 years ago

I kinda agree.
It was supposed to be a black comedy, but missed the mark.
Turner's character was too unreasonably vicious and unhinged, making it harrowing to watch, and even a 'black comedy' needs more than a couple of wise cracks. Short on comedy, top-heavy on blackness.

The only amusing thing was when the mother gave her children sweets, philosophising that they won't crave them later in life ... then the kids grew up fat.

This movie appealed to disillusioned housewives. There are many, I guess.

[–] 9 years ago

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