Olivia Colman & Benedict Cumberbatch: A Savage Comedy Duo in 'The Roses'
The War of The Roses Remake Heats Up: Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch Unleash Their Fury
Get ready for a marriage made in hell! The long-awaited remake of The War of The Roses, starring the incomparable Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, is here, and it's a wild ride. Critics are raving about the "deliciously savage" performances from this power couple, who bring their A-game to this twisted tale of love, lust, and lunacy.
A Match Made in Heaven...or Hell
Based on Warren Adler's 1981 novel and the iconic 1989 film starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito, The War of The Roses remake is a sizzling hot mess. Director Jay Roach, known for his work on Austin Powers and Meet The Parents, teams up with Oscar-nominated screenwriter Tony McNamara (Poor Things, The Favourite) to bring this tale of marital mayhem to the big screen.
Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch: The Ultimate On-Screen Couple
This dynamic duo brings their trademark wit, charm, and chemistry to their roles as Theo and Ivy, a seemingly perfect couple whose facade hides a cauldron of resentments, jealousy, and one-upmanship. According to Larushka Ivan-Zadeh from thescholarlynote.com: "If you've ever fantasized about killing your partner (just for a moment), or cursed them as they pranced off to a swanky work dinner, leaving you to clean up after them, then this is the movie for you."
A Recipe for Disaster
As Theo's professional dreams crash and burn, the tension between him and Ivy reaches a boiling point. With their marriage on the rocks, they engage in a vicious game of cat-and-mouse, trading barbed one-liners and explosive outbursts that will leave you gasping for breath.
Critics Weigh In
Thescholarlynote.com's Larushka Ivan-Zadeh gives The War of The Roses four stars, praising its "outrageously funny" script, which zings with wit and clever one-liners. She writes: "None of this would work without two acting geniuses delivering it."
David Fear from thescholarlynote.com agrees, saying: "No one needs to convince a soul that Colman is one of the single best reasons to keep watching movies and TV today...and her talent for lacing a twinkle with high degrees of thallium is damn near peerless."
Financial Times' Danny Leigh notes: "The film remakes The War of The Roses (1989), adapted in turn from Warren Adler's novel. A major refurb includes recasting the central couple as English, which adds a fresh twist to this classic tale of marital woe."
A Wild Ride
As the tension builds, Theo and Ivy engage in an explosive showdown that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Forbes' Simon Thompson warns: "While not perfect, this version of the story makes the source material its own...but it's not for the faint of heart, and the dark, explosive third act is a breath-holding journey."
A Marriage Made in Hell
In his glowing review, The Telegraph's Tim Robey raves about Colman and Cumberbatch: "As a warring couple, Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch tear strips off each other in The War of The Roses. It's what we want to see: a vicious duet between virtuosos, in a key of long-repressed matrimonial rage."
The Final Verdict
With its razor-sharp script, sizzling chemistry between the leads, and expert direction from Jay Roach, The War of The Roses remake is a must-see for anyone who's ever experienced the thrill (and terror) of marriage. As thescholarlynote.com's Larushka Ivan-Zadeh puts it: "This one is definitely one to see if you need to pass some time over the rainy weekend...but don't say we didn't warn you – it might just make you think twice about those marriage vows!"
The War of The Roses Remake: A Marriage Made in Hell
Starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch
Directed by Jay Roach
Written by Tony McNamara (Poor Things, The Favourite)
Based on Warren Adler's 1981 novel and the iconic 1989 film starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito