Ever wondered what happens when a ‘love story’ turns into an all-out marital war? Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman unleash their comedic genius in ‘The Roses,’ where therapy sessions become battlegrounds and passive aggression turns deadly. You won’t believe how dark this romantic comedy gets. Is it possible for love to truly survive such a brutal fight?
Jay Roach’s “The Roses” plunges audiences into a darkly comedic exploration of a marriage teetering on the brink of complete annihilation, brought to life by the compelling performances of Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. This contemporary film review examines how the acclaimed actors navigate the treacherous landscape of a relationship defined by escalating animosity, beginning precisely where many troubled unions find themselves: a therapist’s office.
From the outset, the film establishes a tone of bitter contempt, exemplified by Theo Rose’s stark declaration about his wife, Ivy: “I would rather live with her than a wolf,” delivered in response to a prompt about things he loves about her. This initial exchange immediately sets the stage for a narrative less about reconciliation and more about the deeply ingrained resentments that fester between long-term partners, painting a vivid picture of a marriage breakdown.
The core challenge of “The Roses” lies in its ambitious attempt to blend dark comedy with an increasingly severe portrayal of marital conflict. The narrative progresses from subtle microaggressions to shocking acts of property destruction, and ultimately, to attempted murder. This jarring tonal shift makes it difficult for the film to sustain its comedic premise, often leaving viewers questioning the intent behind the escalating hatred and extreme actions.
Echoing the struggles of Danny DeVito’s 1989 rendition, “The War of the Roses,” this modern adaptation finds itself caught in the same narrative quicksand. The relentless depiction of a marriage imploding with such ferocity, where both participants aim to inflict maximum hurt, feels less like an entertaining dark comedy and more akin to a brutally intense relationship drama. The film’s inability to balance its dark themes with its comedic aspirations proves to be its undoing.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, renowned for their dry British wit, infuse their characters with an arch sarcasm and passive-aggressive intensity that both commands attention and makes the unfolding marital conflict disturbingly believable. They masterfully convey the complex layers of a long-standing affection that has curdled into profound resentment, initially as a high-flying architect and a stalled chef, before an unexpected reversal of fortunes.
The narrative gains momentum as Theo’s architectural career faces a catastrophic setback, coinciding with Ivy’s culinary ambitions taking flight with her restaurant, “We’ve Got Crabs!” This role reversal sees Cumberbatch’s Theo assume domestic responsibilities, while Colman’s Ivy embraces a globetrotting chef lifestyle. The growing resentments are palpable, escalating into “sporadic, dizzying waves of hatred” that manifest in destructive acts like digital sabotage targeting each other’s careers.
Ultimately, “The Roses movie” struggles to articulate a definitive statement about the nature of marriage, leaving audiences to ponder various interpretations. Is it a commentary on how fervent love inevitably gives way to bitterness, or a stark reminder that only those closest to us can inflict the deepest wounds? The film poses profound questions about the consequences of unchecked resentments and the potential for irreparable damage in relationships.
Perhaps the film’s most resonant message lies in the constant, often futile, human attempt to reconnect with the foundational love that initiated the union. Ivy’s poignant observation to Theo, “You stopped. You’re not supposed to stop,” powerfully encapsulates the film’s exploration of sustained effort in a relationship, suggesting that a cessation of commitment, however subtle, can ultimately lead to a profound and irreversible breakdown. This dark comedy offers a bleak, yet thought-provoking, look at marital dynamics.
