The Subject Was Roses (1968)
Actors:
Jack Albertson (actor),
Grant Gordon (actor),
Don Saxon (actor),
Martin Sheen (actor),
Patricia Neal (actress),
Elaine Williams (actress),
Edgar Lansbury (producer),
Kenneth Utt (producer),
Frank D. Gilroy (writer),
Frank D. Gilroy (writer),
Lee Pockriss (composer),
Anna Hill Johnstone (costume designer),
Ulu Grosbard (director),
Gerald B. Greenberg (editor),
Maggie James (miscellaneous crew),
Plot: When Timmy Cleary (Sheen), comes home from soldiering, he's greeted by the open but strained arms of his two parents, John and Nettie, (Neal and Albertson). Once considered sickly and weak, he has now distinguished himself in the service and is ready to begin a new life. His parents, however, are still trapped in the bygone days of early and unresolved marital strife and begin emotionally deteriorating through several drama packed encounters. Now mature, the young Tim Cleary finally understands the family dynamics that has played all throughout his boyhood. By the simple act of bringing his mother roses on behalf of his father, Tim realizes he may have destroyed his family, but is helpless to obtain resolution which must come from both his parents.
Keywords: alcohol, argument, based-on-play, bickering, father-son-relationship, flower-in-title, guilt, husband-wife-relationship, lake, mother-son-relationship
Genres:
Drama,
Taglines: "Deeply moving film!" The Story of Three Strangers...A Mother...A Father...And a Son
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.
Nettie Cleary: In all my life, the past twelve hours are the only real freedom I've ever known.::Timmy Cleary: Did you enjoy it?::Nettie Cleary: Every moment.::Timmy Cleary: Why did you come back?::Nettie Cleary: I'm a coward.
John Cleary: Bless us and save us, said Mrs. O'Davis.
John Cleary: Joy, joy, said Mrs. Malloy.
John Cleary: Mercy, mercy, said old Mrs. Percy.