Cumberbatch, Colman turn a broken marriage into a dark comedy in 'The Roses'

There are reasons why a relationship takes a while to end. In the case of the titular Roses couple, played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, it's simply because they are too narcissistic to end their marriage.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

This leads to their children and friends witnessing their open hostility in a satirical case study of how ego plays a huge part in relationships — not so pleasant for the characters, but hilarious for viewers.

"The Roses" was based on the 1981 novel "The War of the Roses," which was later adapted into a 1989 film starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Director Jay Roach and writer Tony McNamara's remake is more of a reimagining, with lead characters distinct from those in the earlier works.

British couple Theo and Ivy Rose have a dream marriage that people would envy, raising two children together in California after first hooking up 10 years prior in their home country. Theo works as an architect on a naval history museum with a unique structure, while Ivy goes from being a stay-at-home mom to running a restaurant that barely has any customers.