<P> In late 1969, Mary Rose Foster (Bette Midler) is a famous rock and roll diva known as The Rose . Although a success, she is burnt out and lonely but is kept working by her gruff, greedy manager and promoter Rudge Campbell (Alan Bates). Though loud and brassy, Rose is an insecure alcoholic and former drug user who seems to crave approval in her life . As such, she is determined to return to her hometown, now as a superstar . After being humiliated by a country singing star named Billy Ray (Harry Dean Stanton) whose songs she performs in her show, Rose takes off with a limousine driver named Huston Dyer (Frederic Forrest) and begins a romance with him . Rudge thinks Huston is just another hanger on, but Rose thinks she has finally met her true love . Huston tells her that he is actually an AWOL sergeant from the Army, and she tells him of her past in Florida . They have a rocky relationship and her lifestyle of "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll" and constant touring lead her to an inevitable breakdown . Huston and Rose break up and she returns to her hometown with an escort where she tells him about her past . Finally, Rose collapses on stage from a fatal drug overdose (on alcohol, barbiturates and heroin) in the opening minutes of her long - awaited homecoming concert in Jacksonville, Florida . </P> <Ul> <Li> Bette Midler as Mary Rose Foster (The Rose) </Li> <Li> Alan Bates as Rudge Campbell </Li> <Li> Frederic Forrest as Huston Dyer </Li> <Li> Harry Dean Stanton as Billy Ray </Li> <Li> Barry Primus as Dennis </Li> <Li> David Keith as Pfc . Mal </Li> <Li> Sandra McCabe as Sarah Willingham </Li> <Li> Will Hare as Mr. Leonard </Li> <Li> James Keane as Sam </Li> <Li> Doris Roberts as Mrs. Foster </Li> <Li> Danny Weis as Danny, Band Leader and Guitarist of "The Rose Band" </Li> <Li> Steve Hunter - Guitar The Rose Band </Li> <Li> Sylvester as drag queen </Li> <Li> Michael Greer as Emcee ("Baby Jane") </Li> </Ul> <Li> Bette Midler as Mary Rose Foster (The Rose) </Li> <Li> Alan Bates as Rudge Campbell </Li>

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