In the marvelous 1989 film, The War of the Roses, Oliver Rose, played by Michael Douglas, is seized with a bout of indigestion so severe that he believes he is dying of a heart attack. In the ER, thinking his moments were numbered, he penned what he thought would be his final words to his wife, Barbara, portrayed by the indomitable Kathleen Turner. He writes, “All I have and all I am, I owe to you. I cherish you. I thank merciful God for you.” Well, Oliver lives and, of course, these words come back to haunt him. Back home that evening, Barbara tells him she wants a divorce and, shortly thereafter, her lawyer opens the divorce negotiations by reading the note aloud.
Let us fast forward 20 years or so to October 2010. George Sykes presents a heartwarming note to his wife, Amanda, on her 42nd birthday. He wrote, “Every year with you is a GIFT which is beyond anything material I can give you. I love you.” Twenty days later—and just seven days after celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary, George informed Amanda that their marriage was over. Divorce proceedings soon followed, and Amanda’s lawyers opened their post-trial memorandum by quoting George’s tender birthday sentiments. Who says life does not imitate art?
