Conclusion
The Roses stems from Warren Adler’s 1981 book (and subsequent 1989 movie) The War of the Roses. While The Roses takes plenty of liberties with its source material, all three iterations share two critical elements: First, they center on a relationship that’s no flower, all thorn. Second, they’re classified as a black comedy: In other words, a tragedy you can laugh at.
And The Roses—for all its many, many, many problems—is indeed funny. The writing is sharp and venomous, and stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch bring to the table every bit of caustic British wit they can muster.
But as the movie wears on, the film grows less comedic, more tragic.
It’s not that the jokes slow down or stop. If anything, they speed up. But they’re predicated on the difficult and unnecessary death of a marriage. And there’s nothing funny about that.
And yes, I did say the unnecessary death of a marriage. Theo and Ivy’s counselor may think that the couple had no hope of reconciliation. But when I watched the film, I saw plenty of unforced relational errors. Tiny acts of selfishness. Half-hearted apologies. Moments of jealousy, anger and resentment that could’ve been disarmed with just a touch more consideration.
Because the biggest tragedy of all? Deep down—underneath all the poison and vitriol, all the hurt and shame and rage—Theo and Ivy still care about each other.
It didn’t have to be this way.
As mentioned, The Roses has plenty of content problems, and we probably don’t need to reiterate them here. But, if you squint really hard, The Roses can serve as a cautionary tale. It’s a story of coulda shoulda woulda. I could’ve been more considerate. I should’ve apologized. It’s too late now, but I would’ve liked a second chance.
The Roses is a case study on how a marriage can be destroyed not with one big blow, but a thousand cuts. Cut by cut, choice by choice, the Roses’ marriage falls apart until nary a snippet remains.
And that begs the question: Does anybody really need to watch a marriage implode to drive that point home? Moreover, does anybody need to laugh about it?
Editor’s Note: Focus on the Family offers tons of resources to help marriages in trouble—including weekend getaways where husbands and wives can concentrate on each other and their relationship. For more information on restoring and repairing your own marriage, go to focusonthefamily.com/marriage.