"Critique of 'The Roses': Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman Deliver Stellar Performances, Yet Fail to Convincingly Portray On-Screen Romance"
In the 21st century, director Jay Roach has given a fresh take on the classic dark comedy "The War of the Roses", renaming it simply "The Roses". This new adaptation, written by Tony McNamara, presents a captivating tale of Ivy and Theo Rose, played by Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, respectively.
The story begins with Ivy and Theo participating in couple's therapy, their biting repartee potentially sending Americans reaching for the straight razor. Within five minutes of meeting, the couple is shown having a steamy encounter in a walk-in freezer, setting the stage for a complex and intriguing relationship.
Ivy, a confidence-challenged chef, and Theo, a hotshot architect, are initially portrayed as enviable, uncomplicated people, much like characters in Nancy Meyers movies. However, as the story unfolds, their relationship becomes a thorn in each other's side. Depression and jealousy intrude, but the shift in roles is shown quickly without dwelling on hardship.
Theo's career collapses, leading him to question his identity, while Ivy opens a crab shack to find her own sense of purpose. Rory (Jamie Demetriou) and Sally (Zoë Chao) let unspoken resentments simmer in the background, providing a contrast to Ivy and Theo's flirtatious behaviour, which continues to resemble that of newlyweds.
Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon play a couple, Barry and Amy, whose bed has gone cold, adding another layer to the exploration of relationships in "The Roses".
Interestingly, the original "The War of the Roses", starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, was released approximately 36 years ago. The marketing pitch for the original movie claimed it was a film that makes you feel like falling in love again, but the movie itself was a dark, down-with-love comedy. In contrast, "The Roses" is presented as a movie that offers a more light-hearted take on the same themes.
Despite the title change and modern setting, "The Roses" remains true to the spirit of the original "The War of the Roses". By the end of the movie, Ivy and Theo are shown trying to kill each other under their custom-built love nest, much like the original characters. However, the tone is less grim, offering a more humorous and relatable take on the destructive nature of love.
In summary, "The Roses" is a captivating and humorous exploration of relationships, written by Tony McNamara and directed by Jay Roach. The film stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as Ivy and Theo Rose, two life partners who try to kill each other under their custom-built love nest by the end of the movie. The film offers a fresh take on the classic dark comedy "The War of the Roses", presenting a more light-hearted and relatable tale of love and its destructive nature.
