The Roses perfectly delivers a blend of laugh-out-loud humor and sweet, heartwarming moments in a way everyone can relate to.
The Roses is one of those movies that you should go to with a group of friends and just have a good time. It is off-the-wall ridiculous at times, which makes it laugh-out-loud funny. There are also heartwarming and, yes, some purposefully cringy moments. It sometimes feels as if you are watching something you really shouldn’t be, peeping in on private moments that are meant to be just that, private.
The Roses Synopsis: Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch): successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing — as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites. The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 classic film The War of the Roses, based on the novel by Warren Adler.
The Roses Boasts Stellar Performances By The Entire Cast
While Ivy and Theo are at the center of The Roses, it wouldn’t work nearly as it does without the incredible performances by the supporting cast. Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon portray close friends of the Roses. Their lives aren’t perfect either, which allows them to see the underlying issues that the Roses have. Some of the funniest moments come from their interactions.
McKinnon, as always, knows how to lean into uncomfortable comedy. She constantly puts Theo in situations that he does not want to be in, and does so with a straight face, making it that much more hilarious. While Samberg plays more of the straight man than we might be used to, his character is one of the standouts – especially during the scene at the shooting range.
Ncuti Gatwa and Sunita Mani, who play employees of Ivy’s, are the icing on the cake, constantly giving viewers comedic moments they will not forget, but at the same time bringing in the heart, especially when they tell Ivy the things she needs to hear. Jamie Demetriou and Zoe Chao have their moments to shine as well. Trust me, you will not forget the conversations had around the table at THAT dinner.
Benedict Cumberbatch & Olivia Colman Have Phenomenal Chemistry
Even with a great supporting cast, a movie can fail if it lacks believability and chemistry between the lead actors. I have to admit, going into The Roses I was unsure how it was going to be between Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. Don’t get me wrong, I think both of them are phenomenal actors, but I just could not picture the chemistry between them. Boy, was I wrong.
These two serve up chemistry like I have never seen before. When they are supposed to be in love, things are hot and heavy, but when they are angry with one another, the tension could be cut with a knife. I left the theater wanting to see so much more of them working together. They left no crumbs, as the kids say.
Overall Thoughts on The Roses
The Roses is a dark comedy. It is unafraid to go there. But that is what makes it so relatable. We have all had moments of self-doubt and also moments where we honestly feel great about our accomplishments. As a working mother, some moments hit me right in the gut, nearly bringing me to tears, but I was always pulled out of it thanks to some ridiculous, bonkers, off-the-wall comment or comedic moment.
Some viewers will be annoyed with the ending, but (without spoilers) I felt it to be perfect for the story being told. The Roses comes to theaters on August 29th, and if you like fun mixed with a littel crazy, you do not want to miss out.
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The Roses perfectly delivers a blend of laugh-out-loud humor and sweet, heartwarming moments in a way everyone can relate to.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.