Cinema royalty Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch have joined forces in a breathtaking reimagining of the classic marital breakdown story, 'The Roses', delivering what critics are already calling a career-defining performance from both actors.
A Masterclass in Performances
Colman and Cumberbatch sink their teeth into the roles of Barbara and Oliver Rose, a couple whose seemingly perfect marriage unravels with spectacular bitterness. Colman masterfully portrays Barbara's transformation from doting wife to formidable adversary, while Cumberbatch captures Oliver's descent from smug success to desperate vulnerability with astonishing depth.
Modernising a Classic
This remake of the 1989 Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner black comedy transcends mere nostalgia. Director Jay Roach ('Meet the Parents', 'Bombshell') and screenwriter Tony McNamara ('The Favourite', 'Poor Things') have crafted a story that feels both faithful to the original and strikingly contemporary.
The update brilliantly explores:
- Modern gender dynamics within marriage
- The psychological toll of prolonged conflict
- Wealth and privilege as both shield and prison
- The absurd lengths people go to when hurt
Technical Brilliance
The film's production design serves as a character in itself. The couple's architectural masterpiece becomes a battlefield, with each meticulously designed room reflecting another stage of their emotional warfare. The cinematography shifts from warm, intimate tones during happier times to cold, harsh lighting as their relationship deteriorates.
Critical Reception
Early reviews praise the film's ability to balance dark humour with genuine pathos. While the physical comedy and set-piece destruction provide laugh-out-loud moments, it's the quieter, more painful scenes that linger longest. The supporting cast, including a scene-stealing turn from an unexpected actor, provides perfect comic relief amidst the devastation.
This isn't merely a remake but a re-examination of what happens when love curdles into something darker and more destructive. Colman and Cumberbatch have created something truly special - a film that will have audiences laughing through their discomfort and leaving theatres with plenty to discuss about the nature of relationships and the fine line between love and hate.
