‘The Roses’ review: Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman sparkle
Long-time friends Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman had long-term ambitions to star in a film together, and The Roses is the project they chose.
Cumberbatch and Colman sparkle as a warring married couple in the second film derived from Warren Adler’s world-famous 1981 novel.
Film News Blitz co-founder Dan Lawrence enjoyed this slick flick.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The second take
The Roses follows the work of Danny Devito, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.
This creative trio is well known for starring together in two mega romantic action flicks: Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile.
Alas, the tone shifted when Devito directed an adaptation of Adler’s The War of the Roses novel in the 1989 film of the same name.
That set the tone for warring couples on film, and several decades later, Cumberbatch and Colman have arrived with their take.
What is ‘The Roses’ about?
2025’s The Roses, directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) and adapted by The Great creator Tony McNamara, centres on Theo (Cumberbatch) and Ivy (Colman).
After architect Theo’s work-lunch outburst leads him into the restaurant kitchen, where Ivy is on shift, an instant spark fast-forwards 10 years to happily married life with two young children in sunny California.
Everything is harmonious until a fateful storm ruins Theo’s career and sets Ivy on course to become a nationally famous star chef.
The role reversal sparks conflict, and Mr and Mrs Rose spiral out of control into a series of dramatic confrontations.
What makes ‘The Roses’ tick?
Cumberbatch and Colman are joined by a capable supporting cast, including the likes of Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa and Jamie Demetriou.
Still, this film shines when honed in on its leading duo alone.
Cumberbatch and Colman have undeniable chemistry and deliver classically twisted and dark British humour with aplomb.
But, and unsurprisingly so, the duo bring every ounce of their dramatic gifts to this film's more dramatic, emotional and sombre moments, making it look so easy to cry on demand.
The Roses would have lived or died based on the prowess of the central cast, and Cumberbatch and Colman keep the ship afloat like the uber-talented thespians they are.
Final thoughts
At an hour and 45 minutes, The Roses does tip into some pacing issues in places, but at large, chugs along well.
It’s predictable in places, and the supporting cast detracts more than it provides in the moments Cumberbatch and Colman aren’t together on screen.
Moreover, as pointed out by the folks at Pulp Kitchen, despite being set in California, The Roses was clearly shot in Devon.
Having heard this opinion before settling down at Showcase Southampton, it was hard to shake and borderline distracting as the film’s setting and shooting location directly opposed one another.
Still, this film’s pitfalls do not outweigh its positives, and shared with a full enthusiastic cinema audience, The Roses delivers the dark, entertaining and twisted comedy it promised audiences when the trailers aired earlier this year.
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