Il ménage di John e Nelly, una coppia di mezza età, è avvelenato da incomprensioni e da una barriera d'orgoglio che, nel tempo, i due hanno elevato l'uno contro l'altro. Il ritorno dalla guerra del figlio Timmy non fa che attizzare il conflitto. Nella lotta per conquistarne l'affetto, le cattiverie e le scenate tra i coniugi si moltiplicano.

When Timmy Cleary, comes home from soldiering, he's greeted by the open but strained arms of his two parents, John and Nettie. 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.

Aan het eind van De Tweede Wereldoorlog zijn Nettie en John Cleary blij om hun zoon Timmy weer terug te hebben, maar toch is niet alles zoals vroeger. Timmy is veranderd en drinkt, maar ook Nettie en John zijn niet als voorheen en hebben continu ruzie.

Un soldado regresa a casa de sus padres, un hogar con problemas... Tras el éxito en teatro de la obra "The Subject was Roses", nominada al Tony en 1964, Ulu Grosbard, reputado asistente de dirección de películas como "West Side Story" (1961), "Splendor in the Grass" (Esplendor en la hierba, 1961) o "El buscavidas" (The Hustler, 1961) se decide por dicha obra para realizar su ópera prima. (FILMAFFINITY)