NEW YORK — What happens when a picture-perfect marriage becomes a battleground of competing dreams and hidden jealousies?
You get the new film, “The Roses,” a reimagining of the 1989 classic “The War of the Roses.”
The film stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, along with Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg.
It’s Cumberbatch versus Colman. The two trading jabs and dodging bullets, literally. In their new movie, “The Roses,” they’re taking spousal warfare to a whole new level.
“I loved working with Ben, I sort of ran to set every day going, oh, good, I get to play with my friend Ben, Benedict, so sorry,” Colman said. “My husband said Ben, for God’s sake. Sorry. Oh my God. I just want to punch you sometimes it’s such an adventure. It’s so cute and sweet.”
The movie asks the question, what happens when a couple with successful careers, a loving marriage, and great kids hits a rough patch — a really rough patch.
“Olivia is on fire as a talent, but also an incredibly amicable, fun human being to be around and the fact that I get to call her my friend as well as a colleague, it’s just, you know, we’ve known each other for a long time,” Cumberbatch said. “And to be able to go to work with a friend that’s that deeply rooted in brilliance and being a good person enough. Very easy.”
They say the dinner scene with Kate McKinnon is epic.
“Kate McKinnon, I imagine that could probably just make a whole film,” Colman said. “Kate McKinnon can do anything. There were moments she had with your character, Benedict. That was not scripted.”
“It was very, very hard to keep a straight face, it would take at least two or three takes on that,” Cumberbatch said.
Alongside McKinnon is her former “Saturday Night Live” costar, Andy Samberg.
“The function of this couple within the world of the film was to irritate and agitate and confuse. And I think we did that. Right, hon?” she said.
“Yeah,” Samberg said.
They recounted the day they first met each other.
“I do remember that…you came up to me in the hallway and you said you liked my audition,” McKinnon said.
“That’s right. And I was like, we were all so gassed on Kate. Everyone was like, we got to hire her,” he said.
So, what should couples take away from “The Roses?”
“I would always have a fruit bowl of very soft fruit,” Colman said. “Yes.”
“Preferably made of sponge. Yes. Just in case anyone throws any at anybody. Because real fruit does actually hurt,” Cumberbatch said.
You can watch “The Roses” in theaters starting on Friday, August 29.
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