THE ROSES
(15) 105mins
★★★★☆
MANY would argue there was no need for a new spin on 1989 black comedy The War Of The Roses starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.
But those people have not seen this hilariously funny and viciously feisty version.
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Centered on the marriage of Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo Rose (Benedict Cumberbatch), you can really see why two of our most celebrated actors get their stellar reputations.
The story begins near the end, with a highly paid relationship therapist breaking it to the couple that they should give up on their union because they are beyond repair.
“Are you even allowed to say that?” asks Theo. And the pair, who have just been verbally attacking each other on the therapy couch, burst out laughing, showing that there is still some love left amongst the hate.
We then shoot back to their first meeting, which is the launch pad for what is a long stretch of witty rom-com scenes.
Both up-and-coming in their chosen careers — Ivy as a chef and Theo as an architect — they meet in the London restaurant where Ivy works.
The comic chemistry is electric and within minutes they are having sex in a freezer.
They continue to flourish and move to the States, and while Theo becomes much celebrated in his work, Ivy takes a back seat, bringing up their two children.
But one act of mother nature sees Theo’s ambitions come crashing down and Ivy’s boom.
And all of a sudden there’s a change in the dynamic of their once-happy relationship, with Theo becoming a stay-at-home dad and Ivy a career woman.
So the pace is set for the slow and painfully funny break-up, with Colman playing a spirited and suddenly selfish Ivy in a deliciously devious way.
While Cumberbatch’s beleaguered and increasingly bitchy Theo is full of snarky one-liners you won’t want to miss.
Added to the mix is a comedy-masterclass cast, including a nympho neighbour played by Kate McKinnon, who is married to a useless lawyer (Andy Samberg). There are also bits from Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou and Zoe Chao.
It’s hard to take your eyes off the two leads though, who go to chaotic levels of cruelty to attack each other — all while maintaining a glint of true love.
Divorce has never been so funny.
THE TOXIC AVENGER
(18) 102mins
★★★☆☆
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MACON BLAIR’S take on The Toxic Avenger comes loaded with baggage.
There’s a cult classic to revive, an impressive cast mostly for show and a script that doesn’t quite keep up with the promise.
Born out of studio Troma’s scrappy 1980s trash-horror scene, the original thrived on crude shocks and a bargain-bin charm.
This slicker version tries to clean it up, but the outcome is hit and miss.
Game Of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage stars as Winston Gooze, a widowed janitor who ends up mutated after a toxic accident. From then on, the monster on screen is actually played by stunt performer Luisa Guerreiro in the suit, while Dinklage only provides the voice.
Jacob Tremblay shines as Winston’s teenage son, Wade. Taylour Paige offers determined energy as crusader JJ Doherty.
And Kevin Bacon chews the scenery as the cartoonishly evil corporate villain.
For all this talent, the film often stumbles. It wants to be a sharp spoof of superhero adventures, but the jokes land sporadically and the scares are comically bad.
Not a total disaster, but a mostly middling reboot.
CAUGHT STEALING
(15) 107mins
★★★★☆
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DARREN ARONOFSKY takes a radical turn with Caught Stealing, a gritty crime thriller unlike anything he has made before.
Known for his intense psychological works such as Black Swan, Aronofsky sheds his signature style for something more mainstream. The result is a high-octane crime spree reminiscent of the Safdie brothers.
At the centre of it all is Elvis star, Austin Butler. He is captivating as Hank Thompson, a washed-up New York bartender with a busted knee.
Possessing classic Hollywood magnetism, Butler effortlessly holds the screen even when his character is at his lowest point.
The story, adapted from Charlie Huston’s novel, sees Hank’s agreement to cat-sit for his neighbour (Matt Smith as a punk is something to behold) spiral into a wild chase involving gangsters and a memorable turn from pop star Bad Bunny.
While the ensemble cast, including Liev Schreiber and Regina King, is excellent, the film never loses sight of Hank’s journey. Though the pace is a little off at times, Caught Stealing is a fantastic showcase for both Aronofsky and Butler.
