The Subject Was Roses

Timmy Cleary returns from World War II to his Bronx home and immediately senses the strains between his middle-class parents. He discovers that John and Nettie have drifted apart and argue at the slightest provocation. The family atmosphere of order and loyalty feels fragile as he tries to stay neutral.

Back under the same roof, Timmy finds himself drawn closer to Nettie, who seems more receptive to him than to John. He shares some of his wartime experiences and emotional wounds, seeking understanding. Their budding closeness highlights the underlying fault lines in the family.

Meanwhile Timmy attempts to bridge the gap with John, sharing quiet moments and trying to be the mediator between his quarrelling parents. John, a working man with his own disappointments, grapples with anger and unresolved issues. The effort hints at a fragile possibility of reconciliation that remains fragile.

On a day trip to the family's summer cottage, Timmy accompanies John and sees a different side of his father away from the city. They share a simple, restorative outing, though the shadows of unresolved grievances linger. The trip plants a seed of hope for reconciliation that is quickly tested by the evening's events.

En route back to the city, Timmy buys a bouquet of roses and suggests that John present them to Nettie. He believes the gesture could heal some of the rifts between them. Nettie is visibly moved by the idea, though Timmy remains uncertain about how it will be received.

That night, the three go out for a lively evening in Manhattan, pretending that the home troubles are behind them. Nettie momentarily seems buoyed by Timmy's generosity, and the trio enjoys a rare sense of normalcy. The celebration, however, foreshadows the tensions simmering beneath the surface.

In a drunken moment after the night out, John attempts to make love to Nettie, revealing his infidelity rumors and the underlying resentments between them. Nettie rejects his advances and even breaks the vase in anger. John then bluntly reveals that it was Timmy who bought the roses, turning Timmy's gesture into a painful source of conflict.

The following morning, Timmy refuses to go to Mass with John, citing his war-forged questions about faith and meaning. This religious disagreement intensifies their already frayed father-son relationship. The clash makes Timmy realize the emotional distance may be beyond repair.

Timmy confronts Nettie in a heated exchange, accusing her of trying to force him to pick sides and carry the burden of their grievances. He vents about past hurts and the sense that he is being pulled in conflicting loyalties. Nettie listens, defensive yet momentarily open, underscoring the fragile truce in the household.

Feeling overwhelmed, Nettie leaves the house for what she calls the most peaceful twelve hours of her life, seeking relief in distance from the domestic strife. The absence gives Timmy a chance to reflect on the damage their quarrels have caused. The quiet underscores how little has changed while everyone pretends to cope.

Back home, John engages in another heated argument with a half-drunk Timmy about all the past grievances they never resolved. The confrontation escalates until John slaps Timmy across the face, a brutal moment that crystallizes the family’s dysfunction. Nettie returns, confronting the consequences of their volatile dynamic.

Timmy realizes the domestic situation is not likely to improve and announces that he is leaving home. His parents reluctantly accept his departure, recognizing the emotional cost of their life together. The moment marks a painful attempt at escaping the cycle of conflict.

As Timmy contemplates his plan, he changes his mind about leaving; John, however, insists he stick to his original decision. The family agrees to a last, uneasy compromise, while the three share a final breakfast together. The morning ritual becomes a bittersweet pause before the inevitable separation.

With breakfast finished, Timmy prepares to depart while his father continues to voice frustrations about the morning coffee. The screen fades to black on this unresolved moment, leaving the family’s future paths uncertain. The ending emphasizes the cyclical nature of their conflict and Timmy's uncertain prospects.