The Rose (1979 Mark Rydell)

Rydell is an actor's director - you can just tell. He also made Midler film For the Boys, The River, On Golden Pond, Cinderella Liberty and at the time controversial (1967) The Fox. Thought of Amy Winehouse more than once in story of singer who's can't get a rest - cuntish manager Alan Bates mainly responsible. She meets ex-army Frederic Forrest but can't hold on to him.

Seriously beautifully shot by Vilmos Zsigmond in a diffused style that you just don't get any more, great compositions too.

Bo Goldman and Bill Kirby screenwrote from the latter's story. She shouldn't have gone home...

With: Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus. Scene in club with female impersonators is great, preceded by the best moment: the Rose greeting the doorman and kissing the top of his head. Bette Midler's greatest performance.

Extraordinary lineup of additional cameras in concert scenes includes Laszlo Kovacs, Conrad Hall and Haskell Wexler!