‘Love is great. But then one of you will be dog-tired and doing the bins’: Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman on how to survive a marriage | Movies

Keywords: Marriage, Love, Relationships, Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, The Roses, Love and Hateful Moments in Marriage

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, two illustrious stars, recently sat down to discuss the complexities of marriage in the context of their upcoming film The Roses. Both deeply devoted to their own families, they offer insights into love’s duality—its romantic allure and the mundane responsibilities that come with it, effectively illuminating the reality lurking beneath the glossy surface of partnership.

At the outset of the interview, humor sets the tone as a counselor prompts a couple to express the things they admire about each other. The couple struggles, echoing the common challenge in relationships to articulate the positives amidst daily routines. However, Cumberbatch and Colman, showcasing their chemistry, quickly dive into light-hearted banter, praising each other with playful and sincere words. Colman showers Cumberbatch with compliments about his hairstyle, and Cumberbatch appreciates Colman’s raw talent, emphasizing their long-standing friends’ connection.

As the conversation evolves, the actors are prompted to discuss what they dislike about each other. Cumberbatch expressively admits to feeling overshadowed by Colman’s ability to think multiple steps ahead. His candidness reveals deeper layers of their friendship, symbolizing how even in a platonic relationship, individual shortcomings can surface in a tension-filled, yet humorous dialogue. This open exchange between the two reveals the appreciation they hold for each other, coupled with the recognition of their human flaws.

The film The Roses itself serves as a backdrop for these discussions, drawing from Warren Adler’s novel, The War of the Roses. In the 2025 film adaptation, Cumberbatch’s and Colman’s characters—Theo and Ivy—navigate the complexities of their changing relationship as they grapple with success, ambition, and starting a family. As Ivy’s career blossoms, Theo finds himself tethered to domestic responsibilities, showcasing the intricate balance of modern marriages highlighted by a shifting dynamic of power and roles.

Screenwriter Tony McNamara encapsulates the crux of this tension, attributing it to contemporary capitalism’s expectations that both partners must excel in their careers, often at the expense of emotional connection and fulfillment. Cumberbatch notes that the ideals of love and partnership reflect societal norms and expectations, deeming them "impossible to live up to." Emphasizing the balance required in marriage, he states that love evolves past romantic idealism into the logistics of shared responsibilities—a reality reflected humorously and poignantly in their film partnership.

Colman, maintaining the lighthearted approach, immediately interjects that such divides can be reconciled through open communication and shared responsibility—“you take turns,” she emphasizes, highlighting the importance of partnership in navigating challenges. This comment underscores a fundamental truth about love: it flourishes when both parties are invested in carrying the load, metaphorically doing the "bins."

Colman and Cumberbatch’s discussion extends to the softer side of the human experience—expressing frustration, experiencing not-so-romantic moments, and even moments of unspoken hatred that can accompany deep love. Their candid reflections echo the thoughts of many in long-term relationships, revealing that love isn’t devoid of challenges but rather enriched by them.

Themes of gender roles surface as they discuss the pressures inflicted by societal norms on both men and women within marriages. Cumberbatch tenderly suggests that men often strive for success to validate their identities, leading to unmet expectations and frustration. Colman counters that both partners can become consumed by ambition, leading to misunderstandings. They collectively agree that relationships transcend gender binaries and emphasize mutual respect, understanding, and adaptability.

In a playful digression, the pair approach their own foibles—such as swearing and inappropriate humor. Colman expresses a playful affinity for the ‘c-word’ and the surprising reaction it garners in America, leaning into the comedic absurdities that can surface in life. However, amidst the laughter, a hint of deeper inquiries emerges regarding their roles as public figures and how this impacts their marriages.

Cumberbatch reflects on how public admiration can alter self-perception and relationships, while maintaining that the foundation remains rooted in the everyday joys of domestic life. The need for grounding reflects their shared choices: coming home to clean up the dog vomit, so to speak, amid the glamor of their careers. A touchstone ultimately remains the mutual commitment to creating joy within the banalities of daily life.

Through their engaging comments, both actors indirectly hint at the modern struggles of maintaining personal happiness in relationships overshadowed by societal expectations. They touch upon a generational shift, as younger co-stars express challenges in romance shaped by societal pressures and unrealistic portrayals in media. The performers recognize that existing romantic ideals often set couples up for disappointment, leading to disillusionment with the concept of enduring love.

Younger actors such as Ncuti Gatwa and Sunita Mani reflect a zeitgeist characterized by fluctuating views on love and relationships rooted in individualism rather than co-dependence. Colman and Cumberbatch, however, offer a contrasting perspective where marriage becomes not just a private matter but a public discussion, suggesting a more expansive view of partnership that goes beyond traditional definitions.

Ultimately, what Cumberbatch and Colman articulate is a holistic understanding that love embarks on a journey through its ebbs and flows. The richness of their dialogues in the interview and their performances in The Roses delve into the profound essence of human connection—underlining that while love is glorious and transformative, it also comes with its set of messiness. Balancing the beauty of love with life’s mundane aspects is likely the real secret to enduring relationships, a lesson that echoes long after the film credits have rolled.

As The Roses hits theaters, it serves not only as a portrayal of marital dynamics but also as a reflection of contemporary life—a celebration of the chaotic, complex, and ultimately rewarding journey of love. Through humor, vulnerability, and genuine connection, Cumberbatch and Colman invite audiences to reckon with the beautiful mishmash of love and life, serving an essential reminder that sometimes, one partner really will be dog-tired, dealing with the bins. It is this intricate dance of romance, labor, and companionship that makes marriage beautiful in its own right.

This insightful glimpse into Cumberbatch’s and Colman’s perspectives envelops us in a broader conversation about love’s realities, and encourages all to ponder the delicate negotiation of love within the context of our everyday lives, proving that while love is an ideal, the journey toward it can be just as vibrant and enriching.

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