Film Review - The Roses
Images courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.
They say all is fair in love and war. But what happens when love is war? It’s Benedict Cumberbatch versus Olivia Colman in dark comedy The Roses, a contemporary remake of 1989’s The War of the Roses, both based on the 1981 novel by Warren Adler.
In London, architecture student Theo (Cumberbatch) and aspiring chef Ivy (Colman) meet. Ten years later, they are married and living in California with their twin children Hattie (Delaney Quinn) and Roy (Ollie Robinson). Theo is now a successful architect, and helps Ivy open her own restaurant, which initially struggles to attract diners. When a freak storm occurs, Theo’s new and high-profile project, a naval history museum, is destroyed. However, Ivy’s restaurant receives a number of new customers seeking shelter from the storm, and after a glowing review from a food critic, becomes the hottest joint in town. As Ivy’s business continues to grow and expand into a franchise, Theo loses his job and becomes envious of Ivy’s success. As he is forced to become a stay-at-home dad, the couple’s contrasting parenting styles clash. Ivy spoils her children with sugar and fun, while Theo puts them on a strict diet and makes them do regimented exercise. Over time, buried resentment and fierce competitiveness boil to the surface, and the pair’s marriage starts to fall apart and turn into a bitter circus for all their friends and family to see.
By swapping out 1989’s American leads for British characters, The Roses instantly lends itself to the kind of quick and dry English humour that isn’t afraid to bite, differentiating it from its predecessor. Poor Things writer Tony McNamara’s script is wickedly funny and diabolically cynical, as the central relationship gradually transforms from one of love and respect to sheer loathing and insanity. The casting of Cumberbatch and Colman, who are undoubtedly two of the greatest British actors alive, is also a stroke of genius. It’s a treat to watch these two powerhouses go head-to-head and exchange the most petty and scorching insults they can think of. The film also embraces its absurd and screwball comedy elements, as the abuse between Theo and Ivy elevates from verbal to humorously physical. The placement of these two characters in a U.S. setting, and the way they interact with their American friends, is also quite effective and striking. There’s one very awkward dinner table scene where Theo and Ivy have reached their breaking point, and throw the most offensive and explicit jabs they can think of at one another. As the audience watches and cringes, their friends describe this dynamic as “fun banter”, and even try it on their own spouses. While Cumberbatch and Colman steal the show, the film is rounded out by an impressive supporting cast that includes Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon and Allison Janney.
Despite enjoying The Roses overall, there was one element that confounded this particular reviewer, who has an anaphylactic allergy to nuts. In the film, Ivy is allergic to raspberries, and has a reaction a couple of times throughout after accidentally consuming them. When Theo administers her Epipen, he jabs it into her arm, and she miraculously recovers instantly. Whatever happened to “blue to the sky, orange to the thigh”? Surely the crew’s first aid person, or ANY other member, would have noticed this error? Also, get me an epipen that works that quickly and effectively! Blaring medical inaccuracies aside, The Roses is still a lot of fun.
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The Roses is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.