The Roses

An update on the 80’s “War of the Roses” with Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch, although it takes a long time for the war to break out and it was all over quite quickly.

So we have a movie that is almost entirely backstory – the architect whose reputation is damaged by a storm, which also causes a food critic to end up trapped in his wife’s bankrupt restaurant and suddenly their roles as celebrated successes are reversed.

There are some funny moments, and Alison Janney has a small but crucial role, as does a beached whale.

Is any of it actually plausible, and does it have anything to say about the state of marriage and the world today? No and no, really. It is light, fluffy and entertaining with a smart ending but nothing more than that. And that is probably fine, it is not an ambitious movie in any sense but passes the time easily with a few laughs along the way and some nice views from the architect designed house.

Harmless, undemanding fun.