Product Details

• Actors: Patricia Neal, Jack Albertson, Martin Sheen, Don Saxon, Elaine Williams
• Directors: Ulu Grosbard
• Writers: Frank D. Gilroy
• Producers: Edgar Lansbury, Kenneth Utt
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304114591
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,327 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic movie!, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Subject Was Roses [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie features Jack Albertson and Patricia Neal in brilliant portrayals of middle aged parents trying to cope with the realities of their own dysfunctional family. Sheen is also superb as an unwilling part of this messed up family. This is a must see for adults who like thoughtful, memorable plays!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very close to the original play...excellent, December 11, 2009

By 

Rizzo (Nowhere) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

The Subject was Roses is a lengthy play written by Frank D. Gilroy and it has won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for five Tony Awards. The 1964 production received two Tony Awards, one for Best Play and Best Actor (Jack Albertson). Martin Sheen also starred in the stage production with Albertson.

And now, writer Gilroy has also adapted the screenplay. The film was made in 1968 with Patricia Neal as Nettie Cleary, Jack Albertson as John Cleary and Martin Sheen as Timmy Cleary. The time is 1946, setting in New York. Middle-age parents John and Nettie have just received their son Timmy home from the war. He has been gone 3 years now and he soon discovers coming home is the same as before he left, in the middle of the marital discord of his parents.

Most of the first hour of the film, we see this pretense, a façade as John and Timmy reunite at home, sharing some memories, laughing. But soon, there is a shift in mannerism and mood, as we see the real attitude John has about his son, the veteran. John missed out on some opportunities in life, missed the service, etc., and he also has a history of infidelity that rocks the marriage thus meshed into a cold distant relationship with Nettie.

Most people will never read the dramatic play. They will have seen or heard of Subject was Roses for the first time through this film. If you see the film, note that just before the first hour, it may not seem like much to you, but give it time, as the first hour shows us the coming together, tension, uneasiness, some fun, etc.

It is later that the mood changes, and we learn so much about the characters. Very little has been changed from the original play, and many times the scenes are very similar to the original play, which is what I prefer to see, the actual stage production, but this did not stray far from it. Characters are perfect in their roles.

If you enjoy this film, read the play The Subject Was Roses.... Rizzo

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth watching at least once., March 14, 2010

By 

J. Zastko - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Subject Was Roses (DVD)

The movie has good, witty, occasionally " from left field" dialog. I'm from Spring Lake and enjoy a brief "walk" down memory lane when Patricia Neal visited the Monmouth hotel.