The Subject Was Roses (1968)

Director:

Ulu Grosbard

Writer:

Frank D. Gilroy (play)

Release Date:

12 February 1970 (Denmark)

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:

Rose | Mother Son Relationship | Lake | Regret | Bickering

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Patricia Neal	...	Nettie Cleary
Jack Albertson	...	John Cleary
Martin Sheen	...	Timmy Cleary
Don Saxon	...	The Master of Ceremonies
Elaine Williams	...	The Woman in Club

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:

Jack Albertson won the 1965 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Drama for "The Subject was Roses" and recreated the role in this production.

Quotes:

Nettie Cleary: I never doubted he'd do as well as anyone else.
John Cleary: Where he's concerned, you never doubted, period. If he came in right now and said he could fly, you'd help him out the window.

Movie Connections:

References Gilda (1946)

Soundtrack:

Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Bouquets for the Weary

Martin Sheen returns home from the war to the New York apartment of his parents Patricia Neal and Jack Albertson. The return of the soldier brings to the head unspoken hurts and slights that have flamed within this family circle for years. Neal's first role after recovering from several strokes finds her shaky yet determined as the long-suffering wife/mother, while Jack Albertson is full of spit and vinegar as the husband/father who longs to be king of his 2-bedroom castle. Sheen finds himself used as a weapon by each of the parents against each other, yet he sees that deeper than the sparring and disappointments is a deep love between Neal and Albertson. There is a truly moving section of the film, when Neal leaves the family for a day with no explanation and wanders along the beach while the soundtrack plays Judy Collins' haunting "Who Knows Where the Time Goes". I saw this film for the first time last year on TCM, and it has become one of my favorites, due primarily to the emotional performances of Neal, Albertson, and Sheen.