[#23] Movie Memo: 'The Roses'

Hello from the sidelines.
I went to see 'The Roses'.

I'm usually the type who goes to the theater for Japanese films and sticks to streaming for foreign ones.
Why?

Stop showing only anime in theaters, for heaven's sake.
Everyone keeps complaining about the declining birthrate, yet all you show is anime!
Japanese film industry (live-action team), try harder!
Hey, foreign film distribution team! Don't just buy the blockbusters!
Congratulations to the 'National Treasure', 'Demon Slayer', and 'Chainsaw Man' teams on your hits!!
(Should I watch Chainsaw Man? I have a feeling it's not for me, though)

...I'm saying whatever I want now that I'm away from the film industry. I did congratulate them at the end, though lol

I ended up complaining a bit, but as a woman in her late 40s who feels like she's gradually falling out of the target market (sob), I chose this film for two reasons.

1. Because it's a collaboration between director Jay Roach of 'Austin Powers' and Tony McNamara, who wrote the screenplay for 'Poor Things'.

2. Because it stars two great actors.

Conclusion: Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman give passionate performances, and while it's funny, it hits way too close to home.
I'm happy they released a mid-sized film in theaters. Thank you.
It made me want to eat crab.

*If you don't want to know how the plot unfolds, please read this after watching.

Synopsis

▼ From the Searchlight Pictures Japan official YouTube channel

Unease lurking behind colorful costumes and stylish food

The couple's professions are an architect and a chef. The setting feels very modern.
The colorful costumes and interiors that delight the eyes, the beautiful buildings—it's about the nuances of the couple's relationship glimpsed behind all that.

Theo, the architect husband played by Cumberbatch, is generally a pain in the neck, but Ivy, the chef wife played by Colman, is also quite formidable.
At first, I was just watching the various dishes Ivy made, thinking, 'Oh, that looks delicious,' but the decorative food and stylish outfits start to look like expressions of an overly strong need for approval and self-assertion.

Cumberbatch is cute when he's throwing a tantrum. I didn't know he could do comedy this well.

Both of them are, as expected, excellent actors.

The 'ideal family' that breaks after the dream home is completed

Due to a natural disaster, the building Theo was in charge of collapses, and he loses his job (Wait, does a popular architect really end up in that situation after one failure? That's scary). To support the household, Ivy steps up and uses her talent to succeed in the culinary world. While Theo tries his best at childcare in place of his successful wife, his pride is shattered.

Watching a man who can't support a woman achieving her dreams is painful. It's a scene I've seen somewhere before, and it's partly because I've had similar experiences myself.

'You're free, why don't you build the house you want?' With that, the generous Ivy expands her business. With the money earned, the story flows into Theo designing their own home.
The moment the sketch of the 'ideal home' drawn on the wife's back becomes reality, the 'ideal family' begins to play out of tune.

Why do love and jealousy always lead to ruin? It's not like everything would work out if the genders were reversed. It's complicated, isn't it?

Couples across the country, be considerate to your partners!

The two, who were a power couple, engage in witty conversation. It's a parade of dirty jokes and dark humor. Because Cumberbatch and Colman have class, it manages not to become too vulgar.
I feel like I would have enjoyed it even more if I understood the subtle nuances between American and British English and the cultural differences between the two countries. Too bad for me.

The part where husband Theo's failure becomes a viral video (which is actually quite funny) is a scathing critique of modern society, where people mock others' misfortunes on social media and rely entirely on AI. I don't think we can go back, but I personally wish the online harassment and AI festivals would end.

Since it's a story about a 'couple headed straight for divorce,' I honestly can't say I'd recommend it to couples thinking about marriage or those in a slump to go see together.

Also, she's a chef, so wasting food is not acceptable.
I also wish they would stop throwing LGBTQ themes into every single movie.
The pacing is quite fast, so it might be tough for people who are really tired.

That said, it was still interesting.
If you have a partner, it might be best to watch it alone in secret and have a reflection session. Consideration is important. Yeah.
It could serve as a bible for finding your way back to each other even if you've drifted apart.

For those without a partner, I feel like watching this might raise the bar for choosing a lover, but you know, there's no such thing as a perfect partner.
If there's someone you're interested in, tell them you 'like' them before the world ends. You never know when you're going to die.
This has turned into a mysterious motivational message, so I'll end it here.

If you're interested, please go to the theater!

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