When I saw The Rose as a teen, Bette Midler's performance startled me in no uncertain terms! That's how great and real she was. For all intense and purposes this film is a clandestine exploration of the infamous Janis Joplin's enormously drug-infused life with its highs and lows, misery, loneliness and a constant search for love. I saw a brand new restoration of the film and it holds up beautifully. Frederic Forrest who was once so popular gave what I would call a dynamic performance as the male lead. And then what can be said of a song that is pure magic!
Bette Midler gave the performance of her life and was honoured with an Academy Award Nomination for 1979. She had a tremendous chance of winning, but then a film called NORMA RAE with Sally Field appeared later in the year. Miss Field justifiably won her first Oscar and every other award of 1979 leaving poor Bette Midler in the dust. But Bette can hold her head up high as she was absolutely extraordinary. On seeing it recently, I could not take my eyes off Midler and the miracle performance she gave.
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