The Roses, About a Marriage Gone Wrong, Is a Smart Summer Comedy for Grownups

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In the past, it was somewhat uncommon to find intelligent films suitable for adults during the summer months when people frequently went to the cinema. With the rise of home entertainment and many preferring to watch movies there, such films have become scarce. Nevertheless, just managing to sneak in before the end of the summer season is Jay Roach’s witty black comedy “The Roses” featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as Theo and Ivy, a prosperous middle-aged couple whose marriage faces challenges. Whether you find a film about a crumbling relationship reassuring or distressing may depend on your personality; “The Roses” might not be everyone’s idea of a pleasant evening out. However, Roach and the actors effectively convey some truths about relationships that even the most compatible couples can relate to. While you could eventually watch “The Roses” at home, it is best experienced in a theater. When an audience laughs at unpleasant things – things that are funny due to their unpleasantness – it releases something within us as well. If you can laugh about other couples’ problems, perhaps your own aren’t so bad either.

The story of “The Roses” is based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel and the 1989 film with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, penned by screenwriter Tony McNamara. This narrative focuses on Ivy and Theo’s relationship, which is depicted from a point in their tumultuous journey. As their issues intensify, they seek marriage counseling, only to shock the therapist with their mutual aggression. Their grievances against each other are numerous and outrageous, causing them to laugh at one another once they’ve vented. Despite their problems, they genuinely enjoy each other’s company; Ivy even admits that she dislikes everyone but them, implying Theo isn’t excluded from her affection. This couple is likened to astronauts in a space capsule, a cohesive unit braving the vast cosmic unknown together.

In the narrative, Theo, an architect from London, is depicted storming out of a restaurant after an argument with his colleagues who seem oblivious to the genuine lifestyle and preferences of regular people when it comes to building designs. In an unexpected turn of events, he encounters Ivy, a chef in the kitchen, and their instant attraction leads to a whirlwind romance that swiftly escalates into a marriage, the birth of two children, and a relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States.

The situation was wonderful until it turned disastrous, and Roach paints Ivy and Theo’s past in lively, bite-sized anecdotes. Ivy, a nurturing mother who encourages her children to be adventurous and creative, lacks career ambition, but appreciates Theo’s idea of transforming an old shack into a seafood restaurant (which she dubs “We’ve Got Crabs”). Theo, the family’s primary earner, is on the verge of revealing a remarkable maritime museum modeled after a ship, featuring a sail-like structure soaring majestically from its roof. However, the unforeseen happens: the building collapses during a downpour – the same storm that blesses Ivy’s business. She compassionately suggests Theo take a break from architecture and focus on family life, while she invests more time in the restaurant. In doing so, she becomes a celebrated chef, craving the limelight; meanwhile, Theo’s spirits plummet, and he assumes the role of military-like childcare provider. Under his guidance, the kids excel as disciplined athletes. Ivy feels frustrated; she wishes to parent differently if given more time with her children, but her career is evolving in a direction she hadn’t anticipated. Small disagreements balloon into an unbridgeable divide neither can overcome. How can two people who obviously cherish each other so dearly grow so estranged?

As a movie reviewer, I must say, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman deliver an exceptional performance in this film that makes their characters’ dynamic feel genuinely authentic. Their banter is sharp and witty, bouncing off each other with a delightful, biting energy. A particular joke stood out to me, where Theo suggests a three-hour argument as a substitute for intimacy on a tiring night – the laughs that ensued were infectious, because let’s face it, it’s hard not to find humor in such a situation.

Cumberbatch portrays Theo with the perfect balance of charm and sharpness; he doesn’t suffer fools gladly, but there’s a reason for his affection towards Ivy. On the other hand, Colman embodies Ivy with an infectious energy that can switch from playful to explosive in an instant, much like a shaken-up champagne bottle.

The movie reaches its climax during a dinner party where Theo and Ivy engage in a verbal duel so intense that their guests can only watch on in awe, horror, and perhaps a touch of amusement. While the confrontation is not pretty and may not be particularly funny, it’s undeniably captivating and serves as the grand centerpiece of this film.

Moving forward, it seems we’ve invested quite a bit in them already; what remains but to see this through until the end? Notably, The Roses boasts a visually stunning display, bathed in rich natural light and filled with contemporary home aesthetics that are hard to resist. Cinematographer Florian Hoffmeister and production designer Mark Ricker have certainly outdone themselves. This isn’t your casual watch for an evening at home; it demands the grandeur of a cinema screen, offering a bittersweet and seductive experience.

Director Jay Roach, who has brought us hits like the Austin Powers trilogy and more recently Bombshell, isn’t about to compromise on the cinematic spectacle.

The movie titled “The Roses” is both humorous and sharp-edged. The characters seem perfectly suited for each other over the long term, yet they fail to recognize this fact. Their struggles, however, are so relatable that watching them grapple provides an unexpected sense of comfort. Characters Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon portray Ivy and Theo’s closest friends, a long-married couple. In a desperate attempt for advice, Theo turns to Samberg’s character Barry about his relationship with Amy. “How do you and Amy manage?” he inquires. “I don’t know,” Barry replies. “Momentum.” Although it may seem flippant, there is also truth in this response. Sometimes, simply continuing day by day can take you further than you imagine.

The open-ended finale in “The Roses” stands out as one of its strongest points. We’re left hoping for a content ending for Ivy and Theo, but Roach holds off on providing it without much struggle. Their love spans across time, though it may ultimately rip them apart. The film’s end-credit song is a playful, subtle rendition of The Turtles’ anthem of romantic harmony “Happy Together,” performed by Susanna Hoffs (of the Bangles and Roach’s wife) and Rufus Wainwright. Despite its upbeat tone, the song carries an element of wisdom and apprehension as well. It speaks of two individuals who are so convinced of shared happiness that they believe they can manifest it, despite their concerns about long-term compatibility. A line in the song captures the sentiment perfectly: “I can’t see me loving nobody but you, for all my life.” This is true for the Roses, whether in joy or sorrow. They’ve embraced the promise of “Til death do us part,” and not even a difficult divorce could separate them.

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2025-08-29 16:06