The Subject Was Roses (1968)

Directed by Ulu Grosbard. Starring Jack Albertson, Martin Sheen, Patricia Neal. [G]

Frank D. Gilroy’s Pulitzer and Tony-winning play is more or less photographed as is for this feature film re-telling, depicting dysfunctional family ties rubbed raw upon the son’s return from war. Originally set on Broadway entirely within a single Bronx apartment interior, the dramatic action may be opened up to a few new locations here, but it remains hopelessly stagy in both its physical set-ups and stage-to-screen translation, with conversations too often reduced to long-winded monologues where everything is spelled out through words instead of some combination of dialogue, image and incident. Good performances, but overrated—Patricia Neal’s return to film acting after suffering a debilitating stroke was seen as heroic and earned her an Oscar nod, while Jack Albertson actually won the one he was up for (Supporting Actor, despite clearly being a co-lead with more screentime than anyone else). Albertson and Martin Sheen recreated their stage roles; Neal took over for Irene Dailey. Treacly music cues include contributions from Lee Pockriss and a couple tunes sung by Judy Collins.

55/100