I first saw the 1989 cult classic The War of the Roses when I was nine years old, sitting between my grandparents on their old floral couch. It probably wasn’t the kind of movie I should hve been watching at that age, but I remember finding it absolutely hysterical. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara Rose were pure perfection — razor-sharp, magnetic, and completely unhinged. With Danny DeVito both directing and narrating, it remains one of the most brilliantly twisted comedies ever put to film.

And a personal favorite.

Sadly, as often happens with brilliant cinema, someone eventually decides, “I could do that better.”

Usually, they can’t.

When Searchlight Pictures announced in 2024 that they’d be remaking the film — this time under the shortened, sleeker title The Roses — it already felt like a misstep. The original title, drawn from Warren Adler’s 1981 novel, alludes to the historical War of the Roses between the houses of York and Lancaster — an intentional nod to epic, tragic rivalry. In fact, that title is how my grandparents and I ended up watching the movie in the first place; my grandfather thought it was a historical documentary. It wasn’t, of course — but since my grandmother had already made milkshakes and popcorn (and had a soft spot for Michael Douglas), we watched it anyway. Which is why, to me, changing the title just feels… unnecessary.

That said, The Roses boasts an extraordinary cast.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as Theo and Ivy Rose are two of the finest actors working today, and they deliver outstanding performances. Their chemistry is electric — the witty exchanges, the slow-burn resentment, the ticking emotional timebomb all land beautifully. Unfortunately, the film itself struggles with tone and pacing. The slow build toward chaos lacks the delicious, manic bite of the original. There are sharp, funny moments, but they’re surrounded by stretches that feel oddly subdued, as though the film can’t decide whether it wants to be a dark comedy or a domestic drama.

Also, featuring the extraordinary Allison Janney on the poster – only to use her in one of the films most lackluster scenes, feels like a crime against film.

Directed by Jay Roach, The Roses isn’t a bad remake — it’s just not a great one. And while I won’t spoil the ending, the younger ages of the children make the film’s final moments hit differently — less darkly comic, more just… sad.

So while it was an okay watch, it’s not a film I’ll add to my annual rotation like the original.

There will be more film reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!