2025 has been a surprisingly strong year for comedies, asThe Naked Gun, The Phoenician Scheme, One of Them Days,andFriendshipspoke to different senses of humor, proving that audiences will still seek out the opportunity to see these films on the big screen where they can laugh with an audience. However, one of themore interesting upcoming titles isThe Roses, a dark comedy about divorce starringBenedict CumberbatchandOlivia Colman, which is based on a novel byWilliam Adler.Alder’s iconic novel was first adapted in 1989 as the filmThe War of the Roses, which starredMichael DouglasandKathleen Turnerin some of the most delightfully nasty performances of their respective careers.
The War of the Roseshad been such a hit novel that an adaptation seemed inevitable, as America had been scandalized by the raunchy, dark source material. There was certainly some irony in casting Douglas and Turner in the film, as they had previously played romantic partners in the adventure filmRomancing the Stoneand its sequel,Jewel of the Nile. AlthoughKramer vs. Kramerhad broken barriers a decade earlier by showing compassion to both parents in a child custody case,The War of the Rosesheightened the nasty, ridiculous feuds thatoften occur within public divorces.In the wake of the many high profile celebrity divorce cases and stories that have emerged in the proceeding decades,The War of the Rosesfeels like it predicted the way that culture would evolve.
What Is ‘The War of the Roses’ About?
Douglas and Turner star as the couple Oliver and Barbara Rose, whose idealistic love story begins to turn into a completely untenable situation. Although they had first met while trying to bid on the same item in an exclusive art auction, their difference in career paths ended up causing tension. Oliver became a very successful corporate lawyer whose workaholic nature prevented him from spending anymeaningful time with his family, and Barbara stayed home, where her materialism and obsession with maintaining their house placed her in a different reality. After Oliver is sent to the hospital for a suspected heart attack, he is shocked to find that Barbara is not saddened by his potential death and, in fact,believes that she may be better off if he were no longer around.This leads Oliver to begin proceeding with a divorce case, which becomes highly tense as they fight to the bitter end about every settlement and piece of property.
The War of the Rosesis surprisingly earnest in how it shows the decline of a relationship, as there is enough context at the beginning to show why Oliver and Barbara actually fell in love with each other. Since the film is able to point to their shared interests and happy experiences together, the frustrations in their marriage feel more realistic, as both characters have begun to indulge in their worst impulses. Oliver has become so obsessed with status and reputation that he is willing to do anything to preserve his fame, even though he hasn’t stopped to consider the benefits that it has yielded.Alternatively, Barbara has so desperately wanted controlthat she is willing to cut anything and anyone out that doesn’t agree with her or fit within her high standards. Even if some of their feuds with one another are sympathetic, the film does take both characters to task for their gross wealth; given that the film was written and produced during theRonald Reaganadministration and released after America had elected another conservative president, the satire of a “nuclear family” withno awareness of their privilege felt particularly timely.
The War of the Roseswas directed byDanny DeVito, an underrated filmmaker whose other credits behind the camera include the crime biopicHoffaand the dark comedyThrow Momma From The Train.The War of the Rosessatirizes two characters that believe that they are important and prestigious, despite really just being petty and narcissistic; this is reflected in the direction of the film, which is initially pitched as if it is a prestigious psychological drama and then slowly descends intoraunchy, uncomfortably sinister comedy.It’s impressive that DeVito was able to subject both characters to so much humiliation and torment that they could actually inspire sympathy, even if their actions are otherwise loathsome. Even though the film industry was still very regressive in its depiction of gender roles in 1989,The War of the Rosesis actuallyfairly balanced in ensuring that Oliver and Barbara are treated as being equally monstrous.
The War of the Rosesis unflinchingly cynical and surprisingly insightful,as it examines how the toxicity within Oliver and Barbara’s relationship nonetheless gave them something to be passionate about, even if itended up destroying both of their lives.Although there are gags and moments of physical humor that get fairly over-the-top, the integrity of the relationships always feels authentic, especially as both characters begin to air their regrets upon reflection. There’s a lot of anticipation forThe Rosesbased on the excellent track record ofJay Roach, but it will have a hard time being quite as shocking and groundbreaking asThe War of the Roses.
The War of the Roses
