The Subject Was Roses

G

Released Oct 13, 1968

1h 47m

Drama

List

100%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Timmy Cleary (Martin Sheen), who was once considered timid, returns from duty in World War II with newfound confidence. Soon, he realizes that his parents, John (Jack Albertson) and Nettie (Patricia Neal), have long been feigning happiness for the benefit of their son. John is a heavy drinker guilty of numerous infidelities, while Nettie has deeply resented her husband and coddled Timmy for years. When Timmy tries to resolve his parents' issues for them, emotional chaos ensues.

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steve d

The story has been covered to death but the performances work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It comes across more as a stage play then cinematic, but the acting is excellent. For the most part it is not dated as it is period piece except the scenes where we follow Patricia Neal around no dialogue just really dated bad music from the 60's which takes you out of the the time period.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A rich family drama, a heartbreaking triangle, that's been transferred from stage to screen about as gracefully as can be done. Patricia Neal is especially good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent acting of the grim, headache-inducing script.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Quality and not junk. I adore Neal and movies like this are treasures of Americana.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

jona i

Layered, but sometimes insensibly so. Great acting, though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Ulu Grosbard

Director

Patricia Neal

Nettie Cleary

Jack Albertson

John Cleary

Martin Sheen

Timmy Cleary

Don Saxon

The Master of Ceremonies

Elaine Williams

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

There's nothing obviously wrong, but when you walk out you don't feel as if you've been there. Something was missing.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Ulu Grosabrd's theatrical film, based on Pulitzer Prize winning play, is an intense family melodrama, well acted by Patricia Neal and Jack Albertson as the feuding parents and Martin Sheen as their Viet vet son.

Rated: B

Aug 10, 2010

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The "kitchen sink" drama was largely effective because of the superb acting and dialogue.

Rated: B

Feb 4, 2010

Full Review

Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Fine drama featuring Patricia Neal and Jack Albertson, based on stage play.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2006

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 16, 2005

Full Review

Eric Lurio

Greenwich Village Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Dec 31, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Timmy Cleary (Martin Sheen), who was once considered timid, returns from duty in World War II with newfound confidence. Soon, he realizes that his parents, John (Jack Albertson) and Nettie (Patricia Neal), have long been feigning happiness for the benefit of their son. John is a heavy drinker guilty of numerous infidelities, while Nettie has deeply resented her husband and coddled Timmy for years. When Timmy tries to resolve his parents' issues for them, emotional chaos ensues.

Director: Ulu Grosbard
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: G
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 1968, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 25, 2010
Runtime: 1h 47m