Movie Review - The Roses

The Roses captivated me in such a way that I'll be giving it an A unquestionably. This modern take on the classic divorce comedy premise brings fresh energy to familiar territory, though it faces the inevitable comparison to Danny DeVito's 1989 War of the Roses.

While Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman make a formidable pair, I have to admit they didn't quite match the raw chemistry of Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas from the original. Those two had passion that practically burned through the screen. Cumberbatch and Colman excel at delivering cutting insults and sharp dialogue, but I didn't feel that same intense connection that made you believe these people once loved each other desperately.

7:42●●● 95%

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That said, if you can set aside comparisons to the Turner-Douglas classic, The Roses stands beautifully on its own. The comedy hits consistently throughout, with clever wordplay and perfectly timed moments that never feel forced. The script builds genuine laughs rather than going for cheap shots, and the pacing never lets up. I was smiling from beginning to end, which is exactly what you want from a film like this.

While divorce comedies often rely on escalating absurdity, The Roses finds its strength in grounded performances and sharp wit. Both leads bring depth to what could have been one-dimensional characters, making their verbal sparring matches feel authentic rather than theatrical. If you're looking for something light and refreshing, give The Roses some of your time and they'll reward you with a fun two hours.

If you enjoyed this, you might also appreciate other sophisticated relationship comedies like Marriage Story or The Squid and the Whale.

Have a safe Labor Day weekend.

Grade: A

Plot
A tinderbox of competition and resentments underneath the façade of a picture-perfect couple is ignited when the husband's professional dreams come crashing down.