The Rose
Bette Midler plays The Rose, a female rock star strikingly similar to Janis Joplin. This movie follows her career during her last tour, as she's determined to return to her hometown in Florida. Although a success, she's exhausted and lonely, but is forced to continue working by her gruff and greedy manager. Though loud and brassy, she is an insecure alcoholic and former drug user, who seems to crave approval in her life. She begins a romance with a limo driver, who is actually an A.W.O.L. Sergeant from the Army. Her musician lifestyle of "sex, drugs, and rock and roll", along with the constant touring, leads her to an inevitable breakdown.
Despite its small-scale budget of $9.3M, The Rose became a box office success, earning $29.2M worldwide—a 215% return. The film's bold vision connected with viewers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 4 Oscars. 5 wins & 12 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Rose (1979) reveals precise story structure, characteristic of Mark Rydell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rose performs at a massive concert, exhausted and chemically dependent, showing the unsustainable life of a burned-out rock star at her peak.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Rose meets Huston Dyer, a AWOL limousine driver who treats her like a person rather than a commodity, offering a glimpse of authentic human connection.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Rose actively chooses to bring Huston on tour with her, committing to exploring a genuine relationship despite the risks to her guarded heart., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: Rose's insecurities and substance abuse cause a major fight with Huston. She sabotages the relationship through jealousy and self-destructive behavior, raising the stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Whiff of death: Rose returns to her hometown for the concert and confronts her past trauma and shame. Huston leaves her, the one authentic relationship dies, leaving her completely alone., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rose makes the tragic choice to perform despite her physical and emotional collapse, choosing the performance over her own survival - she cannot escape what she's become., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Rose's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Rose against these established plot points, we can identify how Mark Rydell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Rose within the drama genre.
Mark Rydell's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Mark Rydell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Rose takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mark Rydell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Mark Rydell analyses, see For the Boys, On Golden Pond and The River.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rose performs at a massive concert, exhausted and chemically dependent, showing the unsustainable life of a burned-out rock star at her peak.
Theme
Rudge, her manager, dismisses Rose's plea for time off: "You're a product, and we have to keep you in the marketplace." The theme: can human authenticity survive commodification?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Rose's grueling tour schedule, her destructive relationship with manager Rudge, her substance abuse, isolation despite fame, and desperate need for rest and genuine connection.
Disruption
Rose meets Huston Dyer, a AWOL limousine driver who treats her like a person rather than a commodity, offering a glimpse of authentic human connection.
Resistance
Rose debates whether to trust Huston and pursue a real relationship. She vacillates between hope for normalcy and cynicism born from years of exploitation and loneliness.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rose actively chooses to bring Huston on tour with her, committing to exploring a genuine relationship despite the risks to her guarded heart.
Mirror World
Huston and Rose visit his family farm in Florida, where she experiences ordinary domestic life - the thematic mirror showing what she's sacrificed for fame.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Rose attempts to balance touring with a real relationship, experiencing moments of genuine happiness and vulnerability while the pressures of fame continue.
Midpoint
False defeat: Rose's insecurities and substance abuse cause a major fight with Huston. She sabotages the relationship through jealousy and self-destructive behavior, raising the stakes.
Opposition
Rose spirals deeper into drugs and alcohol. Rudge increases pressure for a major homecoming concert. Huston tries to help but Rose pushes him away. Her demons close in from all sides.
Collapse
Whiff of death: Rose returns to her hometown for the concert and confronts her past trauma and shame. Huston leaves her, the one authentic relationship dies, leaving her completely alone.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul: Rose is emotionally shattered, heavily drugged, and must decide whether to perform the homecoming concert or finally break free from the machine that's destroying her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rose makes the tragic choice to perform despite her physical and emotional collapse, choosing the performance over her own survival - she cannot escape what she's become.
Synthesis
The final concert: Rose gives everything she has left in a transcendent but devastating performance, the machine consuming her completely as the crowd demands more.
Transformation
Rose collapses and dies on stage after her final song, transformed from a living person into the legend the industry wanted - the ultimate price of fame without authenticity.