REVIEW: THE ROSES

3.5/5

A Rose By Any Other Name

105 Mins. Starring: Benedict, Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao & Allison Janney. Screenplay: Tony McNamara. Director: Jay Roach. On: Disney +.

Coming up, smelling of roses, despite the thorns of divorce, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are bloomin' marvellous as 'The Roses'. The great Brits' delightfully dark, disarming and charming chemistry, in this black comedy, is combustible from their very first electric moment in the kitchen, unaware that they're holding hands, that won't part, together. Reminding us of the 'Together' body-horror, love story, from real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, released in Japan this weekend, now you can also see 'The Roses' on Disney Plus in the Land of the Rising Sun. Benedict's architect can't stand the heat of an insufferable apartment planning dinner meeting, so he goes into the kitchen of Olivia's head of all chefs. She offers him a bite. He can't get enough of the taste. She tells him she's moving to California tomorrow. He suggest coming along. "We haven't even had sex yet", she protests. "Yes, but that's just minutes away", he replies. DAMN!

Jay Roach ('Trumbo', 'Bombshell', those groovy 'Austin Powers' films, baby!) knows a thing or two about making classic comedies with a terrific twist to the genre's plot. See, 'Meet The Parents', 'Dinner For Schmuks' and 'The Campaign'. But here, he really blends his two-pronged attack of storytelling and joke-making. Sticking a fork in, not one, but two classic kitchen scenes that literally throw everything at you...except the kitchen sink (but give it a half hour and some power tools). Even Ralph Fiennes doesn't have this on 'The Menu'. Remaking 'The War Of The Roses', Warren Adler's 1981 novel, aaand the 1989 movie starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and director Danny DeVito, Roach sets fire to everything in sight at an alarming clip. Two of the best of British, when it comes to thespians and pop culture celebrities, Colman and Cumberbatch seem like a cheeky match made in Hollywood heaven. Especially when you see the name of Olivia's seafood restaurant out in Cali'. But just wait until this couple's retreat turns into 'Send Help' and a therapist couch that takes more hits than Billy Crystal's analysing Robert De Niro.

Colman's cuisine is flying. Meanwhile, Benedict's dream of playing house have done more than hit rocks. And there goes the budget...not to mention, the best YouTube remix video since those 'Fockers' did it with Ben Stiller. Because The Internet never forgets. Olivia couldn't be happier with today's special, Cumberbatch, on the other hand, must be forced to eat humble pie, with a bitter pill. It's also hard for Olivia Colman's character to swallow how Benedict Cumberbatch's stay at home Dad has not only turned their two kids into the next Olympic athletes, but also alienated them from her. 'The Favourite', 'The Crown' and 'The Lost Daughter' actress, and 'The Imitation Game', 'Sherlock' and 'Doctor Strange' actor are amazing on their own, but together...they're dynamite. Trading barbs, physical put downs and more one up man and womanship over contract negotiations (yep...that contract) than the most classic of comedies. A scene with the great Allison Janney channelling Laura Dern in 'Marriage Story' has more bite than its bark, tied up in the corner, when she's let off the leash. The perfect (on paper) pair even have an Alexa like home help called Hal, who would probably even open the pod bay doors for one, if the other one was out of earshot. Who gets him in the divorce?

I give it a year...if they're lucky. In this epic ensemble that plays host to some all-stars at the last supper like dinner table on this picture's promotional poster. All appetizer, main course and dessert served on Tony McNamara's script ('The Favourite', 'Poor Things', 'Cruella') until the satisfying toast in conclusion. Andy Samberg, with some of the best lines, plays best friend to perfection, but it's the wonderful Kate McKinnon who really seduces you, like her offbeat talent always does. SNL misses both members of this husband and wife team. The Roses may need more than a therapist, but there's a doctor in the house. Who? The endearing Ncuti Gatwa ('Sex Education'). But it's Sunita Mani who steals the show, like she does in things like, Netflix's 'GLOW' and 'His & Hers'. Jamie Demetriou is as hilarious as he was in 'Fleabag', and Zoë Chao (Providence, Rhode Island's finest) is as crazy as she was in 'Nightbitch', especially when the pair try their hand at British banter. Winning the bread, this dream home that turns into a nightmare is something you can't separate yourself from. This is one rose that doesn't smell like poo-poo-ooh. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The War Of The Roses', 'The Five-Year Engagement', 'We Live In Time'.