The Roses Review: Benedict Cumberbatch And Olivia Colman’s Film Is Wickedly Funny But Far From Perfect
A satirical take on love, resentment and marital breakdown that will have you rolling on the floor.
3.5 / 5
Have you ever loved someone so hard that it suffocates you to the core? If yes, then The Roses is definitely a film that you should be watching. Based on the modern reimagining of the 1981 Warren Adler novel The War of the Roses, the film is a satirical story about a couple’s marriage that falters once their dreams and ambitions start to differ. Here is our review of The Roses, directed by Jay Roach and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman in lead roles.
Plot Of The Roses
The plot for the film follows Theo, an architect (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Ivy, a budding chef (Olivia Coleman). The two happen to meet during a chance encounter after Theo barges into the kitchen where Ivy is working. Fast forward years later, the couple is finally married and living in California with two kids. Everything seems to be fine with Theo working on a massive architectural project and Ivy at home taking care of the kids while also managing a small restaurant that’s more of a passion project for her than a business. However, things go south when one day Theo’s project fails grandly, and a food critic raves about Ivy’s restaurant in her review, kickstarting her very successful culinary journey. The couple find themselves at odds with Theo, now having to take care of the kids while Ivy looks after her now multi-million dollar restaurant chain. This forms the premise of the movie.
Performances
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is a phenomenal actor who needs no introduction. His portrayal of Theo is funny, raw and authentic. After his career collapses because of a very embarrassing incident immortalised forever on the internet and his plight turnt into memes, Theo starts to spiral. There are moments when the character is fragile and strained, and Cumberbatch’s performance will make you feel all the emotions Theo is going through perfectly.
Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman is always a treat to watch on screen. Colman’s performance as Ivy is brilliant, as she brings the perfect amount of sweetness and madness to the screen. Ivy’s dilemma when she struggles to choose between her career and her family is something that many can relate to all too well.
Supporting Cast
Casting director Nina Gold deserves all the praise for doing her job so perfectly. One of the film’s greatest strengths is its casting. Every time SNL legends Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon are on the screen, you cannot help but giggle. Alison Janney, as the stoic and no-nonsense lawyer, also steals the show with her almost disappointingly short cameo in the film.
Verdict – A Witty Film That Suffers From A Weak Second Half
If I had to list another thing that The Roses did right, it would be the dialogue. There’s something so crass yet razor sharp about British humour that can seldom be recreated. The witty back-and-forth between the leads keeps you hooked throughout, while the sly jabs at all things American are an added delight. The line “someone needs to sacrifice themselves on the altar of a marriage, and who is it going to be said” said by Ivy is what captures the essence of The Roses perfectly. The cinematography, too, is top-notch. To be fair, it would take serious effort to make the scenic beauty of Northern California look bad.
That being said, this is where my qualms with the film begin. I felt like the message of the film did not really stay with me. The film sets up the rancid dynamic of Ivy and Theo beautifully, a couple stuck in the limbo of a failed marriage, but the second half tips into chaos as they nearly kill each other. The supporting cast, though a joy to watch, doesn’t add much depth and at times makes the narrative feel overcrowded.
The Roses is a film that is almost an autopsy of something that was once alive but died, and sadly may not ever be revived again. It’s hilarious, it’s witty and occasionally emotional; however, its potential was stunted by a weaker second half. Still, as a sharp satire on love, resentment, and everything in between, it makes for a solid one-time watch, especially with your spouse by your side.
The film is now available to watch in theatres near you!
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First Published: August 29, 2025 2:30 PM
