A dark comedy remake that can't recapture the bite of its predecessor
The Roses, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) and Olivia Colman (The Favourite), is a black comedy that came out this summer. Directed by Jay Roach (The Austin Powers Trilogy), it is the second film adaptation of the 1981 novel, The War of the Roses, written by Warren Adler. The first adaptation, released in 1989, starred Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito and was both a critical and box office success. The Roses didn't fare quite as well as its predecessor but still managed to make a profit. It is available now for purchase on Blu-ray.
Fed up with his life, Theo (Cumberbatch), an architect, runs into the kitchen at a work luncheon just to get away from his annoying coworkers. There, he meets Chef Ivy (Colman), who tells him of her dream to move to America. Fast forward ten years, and Ivy is a stay-at-home mom of twins, while Theo has just completed a Naval Museum. During a freak storm, the building is destroyed, and Theo gets fired. Meanwhile, Ivy opened a small restaurant that received a glowing review from a food critic looking to find shelter from that same storm. As their circumstances change, Theo and Ivy feel envious of each other, and their marriage falls apart.
Unfortunately, unlike the 1989 version, there is a lot to be desired with this "reimagining" (a.k.a. remake). Colman and Cumberbatch are good, though not at their Oscar-worthy best. Adam Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) is fine, but Kate McKinnon (Barbie), whom I happen to love in almost anything she is in, plays the most annoying, inappropriate character that is meant to be funny but simply isn't. Personally, I blame the script, written by Tony McNamara (Poor Things), and Roach for this misfire. The jokes don't land, the pacing is slow, and the way the subject matter is presented is uninteresting at best and cliché at worst.
While the Blu-ray disc is only presented in 1080p resolution, the picture quality is excellent. The details are sharp and clean, and the color saturation is strong and deep. Especially noteworthy are the scenes shot on the cliff overlooking the ocean where the roses end up building their home. The lush greens of the forest are invigorating, as if one could almost smell the trees and the fresh ocean air.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is equally as good with ambient sounds bouncing from speaker to speaker, such as when Ivy shoots at Theo and the sounds of glass breaking behind Theo as she does it. The dialogue is clear and crisp, and the score fills the empty spaces rather nicely.
The combo pack includes the Blu-ray Disc and digital download, as well as less than 15 minutes of extras. The extras are: A House to Fight For, Bloopers, The Roses: An Inside Look, and Comedy Gold. I must admit the extras are rather disappointing, and a comparison between the 1989 and this version would have been interesting to see.
The premise of The Roses isn't anything new; perhaps, it could be. I personally don't find it quite as funny as the former because I hadn't yet been married, let alone divorced, back then, and now I have had both experiences. However, I simply feel the script and direction were wasted on this talented cast, and the movie comes across as annoying and unintelligent rather than funny.
Truthfully, to be honest, the 1989 version wasn't terrific either, but it wasn't as bad as this year's entry. Despite a wonderful cast, this film is a missed opportunity at comedic gold, overlaying the heartbreaking tragedy of lost love.
Grade: C-
