TEHRAN- “The Roses”, a 2025 black comedy movie by American filmmaker Jay Roach, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday evening. 

Film critic Kourosh Jahed is set to attend a screening of the film followed by a review session.

In "The Roses," the story unfolds in London, where an architect named Theo encounters Ivy, an aspiring chef with dreams of moving to the United States to start her own restaurant. Captivated by her ambition, Theo impulsively suggests they embark on this journey together. Fast forward ten years, and the couple has settled in Mendocino, California, married with twin children, Hattie and Roy. Their parenting styles clash: Ivy indulges their children with desserts and fun activities, while Theo emphasizes health and discipline.

Having put her culinary aspirations on hold to raise their family, Ivy is touched when Theo surprises her with a piece of real estate for her long-desired restaurant. However, a severe storm one night leads to the destruction of Theo's newly designed naval history museum, coinciding with a surge of customers at Ivy's restaurant seeking shelter. Among them is a prominent food critic whose glowing review propels Ivy's restaurant to success. As Theo loses his job due to the museum's collapse, he transitions into the role of a stay-at-home dad while Ivy becomes the primary breadwinner.

With Ivy thriving in her career, Theo becomes increasingly stringent with the children’s diet and exercise routines, causing Ivy to feel alienated from their lives. As jealousy festers between them, their relationship deteriorates despite attempts at reconciliation through romantic getaways and marriage counseling. Resentment builds as they each blame the other for their discontent. In a final effort to salvage their marriage, Ivy invests her restaurant profits into building their dream home for Theo.

Three years later, the house is completed, and their children have received sports scholarships to a prestigious school in Miami. With the kids out of the picture, the couple's unresolved tensions escalate into open conflict. During a housewarming party, Ivy humiliates Theo in front of friends, undermining his achievements. Following an epiphany after saving a beached whale, Theo realizes that their marriage is beyond repair and suggests divorce, only wanting the house while Ivy seeks to leave him with nothing.

Their negotiations devolve into cruel tactics aimed at making each other's lives miserable, resulting in Theo being blacklisted from architecture and Ivy facing health violations at her restaurants. The situation escalates when Theo tricks Ivy into eating a raspberry dessert she is allergic to, forcing her to sign divorce papers in exchange for an EpiPen. However, she reveals her deception, leading to a tense standoff with a gun. In a moment of vulnerability, Theo confesses his lingering love for Ivy, and she reciprocates.

As they reconnect intimately amidst the chaos, a gas leak from Ivy's damaged stove creates a dangerous situation. Unbeknownst to them, as Theo asks their smart home system to ignite the fire, the screen abruptly cuts to white, leaving their fate uncertain. The film explores themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of marriage under pressure.

SAB/