bette midler deliver an electrify performance in 1979 the rise and an explosive and emotionally charge musical drama and oh so loosely base on the life of rocker janis joplin and that earn midler an oscar nomination for best actress . midler pull out all the stop a a burnt out rock and roller who think she have everything in the world she could possibly want and except for the love of a good man and which she almost find with a chauffeur or drifter ( frederic forrest ) who have a secret or two of his own . midler be in virtually every frame of this film and completely command the screen that completely belie the fact that this be her first film . forrest provide solid support a the new man in the rise life a do alan bates and who play her hard nosed manager . midler prove herself to be a powerful actress and but the film while m really come alive during the musical sequence with when a man love a woman and stay with me baby a definite standouts . static direction and a somewhat clichéd screenplay be completely overpower by hurricane bette . if youre a midler fan and this be a must see .