"The War of the Roses" — Read The Screenplay By Michael Leeson
A match made in heaven. A divorce made in hell.
In "The War of the Roses" (1989), Michael Leeson and Danny DeVito turn marital bliss into a demolition derby of ego and entitlement. Beneath the slapstick and shattered chandeliers lies a scathing portrait of love curdled by pride. This is more than a breakup — it’s a battle for identity, dignity, and the last word. For screenwriters, it’s a wickedly precise study in tone, escalation, and character-driven chaos.
Let's dive into the 2nd draft screenplay of The War of the Roses. Courtesy of 8FLiX and Twentieth Century Studios.
"The War of the Roses" — Educator Resources & Study Guide
’Til debt do us part.
Written by Michael Leeson and directed by Danny DeVito, "The War of the Roses" is a darkly comic dissection of love turned lethal. What begins as a portrait of success and domestic perfection devolves into one of cinema’s most infamous marital meltdowns. Beneath the absurdist chaos lies a sharp meditation on ego, pride, and the cost of refusing to yield. Leeson’s screenplay transforms divorce into a Greek tragedy wrapped in slapstick — a cautionary tale of what happens when affection curdles into obsession.
The War of the Roses (1989) — Classroom Study
The War of the Roses isn’t just a marital meltdown in surround sound — it’s a razor-sharp study in tone control, character arcs, and genre fusion. Leeson and DeVito take what could’ve been a courtroom drama or a domestic tragedy and spin it into a moral fable wrapped in absurdist comedy.
- Escalate conflict through visual comedy and emotional stakes.
- Balance satire with sincerity.
- Write two protagonists with equal weight and blame.
- Sustain audience engagement in a story with no traditional hero.
"The War of the Roses" One Sheet & Script Intel
A married couple tries everything to drive each other out of the house in a vicious divorce battle. 20th Century Fox
| Type | ... |
SCANNED
|
| Version | ... | 2nd Draft |
| Date | ... | 05.27.1986 |
| Pages | ... | 130 |
| Genres | ... | Comedy Dark Romance |
| Screenplay | ... | Michael Leeson |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0098621 |
How to read and download the screenplay.
Click or tap the READ/DOWNLOAD button. You may need to create a free account, or log in.
It's free! Enjoy the read, and thanks for visiting 8FLiX!
You’ll need to create a free account to access our scripts and screenplays database. If you’re already registered, simply log in and start your journey of discovery!
Read and Watch
Compare the script and movie together with 8FLiX and JustWatch.
Now that you have the screenplays, stream "The War of the Roses" and compare. We've partnered with JustWatch so you can make that happen.
Looking For Something?
If you can't find what you're looking for, send us an email.
If you're searching for a specific movie or TV show/series, please let us know. 8FLiX has more than 10,000 scripts and screenplays. Not all are currently listed here. Eventually, they'll all be available to download (but certainly not in your lifetime). To avoid waiting decades for 8FLiX to add the script that you're looking for, send us an email. You still may have to wait, but it'll be days rather than generations. You can SEARCH our site when you're ready!