The Subject Was Roses (1968)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Ulu Grosbard

Writer:

Frank D. Gilroy (play)

Release Date:

27 August 1970 (Portugal)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

"Deeply moving film!"

Plot:

When Timmy Cleary (Sheen), comes home from soldiering, he's greeted by the open but strained arms of his two parents...

Plot Keywords:

Father Son Relationship | Regret | Bickering | Rose | Veteran

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Patricia Neal	...	Nettie Cleary
Jack Albertson	...	John Cleary
Martin Sheen	...	Timmy Cleary
Don Saxon	...	Nightclub Manager
Grant Gordon	...	Man in nightclub

Directed by
Ulu Grosbard

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Frank D. Gilroy		play

Produced by
Edgar Lansbury	....	producer
Kenneth Utt	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Lee Pockriss

Cinematography by
Jack Priestley

Film Editing by
Gerald B. Greenberg

Art Direction by
George Jenkins

Set Decoration by
John Godfrey

Costume Design by
Anna Hill Johnstone

Makeup Department
Mike Maggi	....	makeup artist

Production Companies

• Delos Productions Inc.
• Edgar Lansbury Productions Inc.
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• T.D.J. Productions Inc.

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1973) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

Runtime:

USA:107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PA (Ontario) | USA:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Delos Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Martin Sheen and Jack Albertson reprised their roles (Timothy Cleary and John Cleary) in this film after previously playing the characters in the stage version on Broadway.

Quotes:

Nettie Cleary: In all my life, the past twelve hours are the only real freedom I've ever known.
Timmy Cleary: Did you enjoy it?
Nettie Cleary: Every moment.
Timmy Cleary: Why did you come back?
Nettie Cleary: I'm a coward.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Brady Bunch: The Subject Was Noses (#4.19)" (1973)

Soundtrack:

Accordion a Go-Go

See it for the writing and performances...

I saw this film at 3am on Bravo and couldn't turn it off. For some reason both the play and the film adaptation never came across my radar. What a wonderful surprise to discover this gem. It is a fine example, like "The Odd Couple," of how to stage a Broadway play for the big screen. Though I haven't seen the play to make a comparison, the director is faithful to the pacing and staging of a play, while using the camera skillfully to enhance the meaning and drama. And the performances! All three actors were stellar; they owned these characters. They were exceptionally nuanced; not once did they play over the top or to the balcony, where other actors might have been tempted to chew the scenery to show the depth of the emotional drama of this play. Though filmed in 1968, it doesn't feel a bit dated, it holds up beautifully as a relevant, poignant and very meaningful drama of an American family.