Film Review: ‘The Roses’ is a Savage Comedy with Thorns

The War of the Roses is not an easy thing to adapt or to remake. The source material is thorny, while the original film managed to have some real edge to it. So, in the wrong hands, doing that kind of thing again, hoping for mainstream success, would be a fool’s errand. Luckily, while The Rose does have a slight case of diminishing returns, there’s fun to be had, some bite to the humor, and even some hints of darkness. Those worried that this would be sacrilege can relax, as it’s a solid comedy to wrap up the summer with.

The Roses is no patch on The War of the Roses, to be sure, but taken on its own accord, the biting comedy has fun to offer up. The less you think of the original and stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, as well as director (and co-star) Danny DeVito, the better. This is at its best as its own product. Things are a bit diluted, to be sure, but watching the leads spit acid can be a hoot, and it often winds up being just that.

A new interpretation of the Warren Adler book The War of the Roses, we again bear witness to the dissolution of the Rose family. Here, we meet Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Ivy (Olivia Colman) in the midst of a therapy session, one that’s funny, but also sets the acerbic tone. Then, we flash back to their meeting, where he’s a successful architect and she’s working in the kitchen of the restaurant he’s being celebrated in. Some quick banter and flirtations lead to quick sex in said kitchen, kicking off their courtship. She’s planning on moving to America to pursue her dream of being a chef, leading to him coming with her. At first, it’s all roses, no pun intended, but it sours before long.

A decade later, they have two kids, live in a huge home in California that Theo designed, and Ivy hasn’t opened up a restaurant, unless cooking for her children counts. A maritime museum he’s designed is set to be his magnum opus, leading to him getting her a present, which happens to be a seafood joint. However, his building ends up being a very public disaster, right as her place, We’ve Got Crabs, becomes the new hot spot for shellfish. The roles are reversed and suddenly Ivy is the toast of their friends, not Theo. More and more, cracks surface, with a very violent separation on the horizon, though the worst is still to come.

Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch clearly the savage back and forth dialogue between the two. It’s very much their show, and while they’re not asked to really stretch, it’s enjoyable to see them have fun. Colman especially is just having the time of her life, especially when the pair really start to get mean. Cumberbatch is asked to have his character go through a bit more, but the roles are a bit thin. The jokes and humor, as well as their banter, is where the highlights reside. It’s the Colman and Cumberbatch show, especially considering how poor the supporting characters are. Despite a talented cast that includes Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg as Theo’s American friends, Ncuti Gatwa as one of Ivy’s employees, and Allison Janney as her divorce lawyer, there’s absolutely nothing for them to do, and what little they have to do isn’t very funny. Other supporting players include Zoë Chao, Jamie Demetriou, Sunita Mani, and more, but again, it’s all about Colman and Cumberbatch here.

Director Jay Roach and writer Tony McNamara are having a great time as well, especially when it comes to giving Colman and Cumberbatch material to spar with. McNamara is at his best when writing for Yorgos Lanthimos, and while this doesn’t get to those insane heights, he still is taking some of the lessons there and applying them here. There are few sacred cows here, leading to a couple of wildly unexpected jokes. Roach’s direction is simple and focuses in on the humor, as he has his entire career. The pacing of The Roses could be a little bit tighter, but you’re compelled by Colman and Cumberbatch throughout, so it’s never a particularly grating issue.

The Roses never approaches the level of The War of the Roses, to be sure, but as long as that’s not your expectation, there’s some fun to be had in watching Colman and Cumberbatch duke it out. Plus, if you like McNamara’s dialogue when paired with Lanthimos, there’s a bit of it here, just minus that top notch style. So, keep your expectations in check, of course, but look for this one to do a solid job tickling your funny bone.

SCORE: ★★★