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The Subject Was Roses

Play trailer Poster for The Subject Was Roses G,  1968,  1h 47m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 100% 5 Reviews Tomatometer 73% 250+ Ratings Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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.

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Oct 23, 2004
3/4
There's nothing obviously wrong, but when you walk out you don't feel as if you've been there. Something was missing. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 10, 2010
B
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. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Feb 4, 2010
B
The "kitchen sink" drama was largely effective because of the superb acting and dialogue. Go to Full Review
Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers Jul 28, 2006
4/5
Fine drama featuring Patricia Neal and Jack Albertson, based on stage play. Go to Full Review
Eric Lurio Greenwich Village Gazette Dec 31, 2004
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Hagrid L Mar 24, 2018 Layered, but sometimes insensibly so. Great acting, though.
Ron S Aug 11, 2008 The "kitchen sink" drama was largely effective because of the superb acting and dialogue.
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The Subject Was Roses

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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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

The Woman in Club

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The Subject Was Roses

The Subject Was Roses (1968) The Subject Was Roses (1968) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
Edgar Lansbury
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
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