Revolutionary Road stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as Frank and April. They meet in the opening scene and we’re thrown right into their lives as a married couple during the 1950s. They are very much in love in the beginning but this is soon turns into a mediocre life causing constant arguments and hatred within the relationship. They renew their passion when they decide to move to Paris and start a new life. April wants Frank to find out what he is meant to do instead of working at a job he hates. An unexpected surprise causes them much more drama in their life though. This is directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) based on a novel by Richard Yates. It’s an acting performance to watch by both Kate and Leo, but the story is somewhat slow and the viewer may just get annoyed at how many arguments this couple really gets into about the same thing over and over. All in all though, it’s a good story about a dysfunctional couple and worth a watch simply because Mendes always has something interesting up his sleeve.
Leonardo DiCaprio is great as the working man who didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps by working at a job he hates his whole life… but by the time he’s 30 years old he’s already on that same road he didn’t want to travel. He is unhappy at home and turns to an affair at the office to satisfy his needs. Kate Winslet is also great as the troubled woman who is bored with being a housewife in suburbia and wants some change in her life. She tries her hardest to bring some spice to the relationship but is shut down at every turn. Their true acting power shines in the constant heated arguments they have. You truly believe this couple has a love for each other but they also can’t stand each other. Another fine performance is by Michael Shannon as John, the troubled son of the couple’s realtor, played by Kathy Bates. He used to be in an insane asylum and pretty much speaks his mind on anything he wants. Throughout the movie you are expecting this guy to snap or for Leo to snap on him.
Sam Mendes has always been a favorite director of mine. American Beauty is one of my favorite films and Road to Perdition was a surprisingly awesome movie too. Jarhead was also a unique take on a war movie. Although this film is not his best, it’s definitely a twisted look at relationships. It’s by no means a romance film, and by no means a comedy. This is a dramatic look at a couple who can’t deal with their boring lives, and in the end they only cause grief and hardship for themselves. Quite depressing actually. The performances alone carry this piece to definite Oscar contention.
IMDB – 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes – 64%
Movie Wiseguys – 7/10
January 5, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I agree this is not Mendes best work, and also agree it is very depressing. I don’t mind a depressing film though if it is still well done, depressing films sometimes make me feel better after viewing them. I think this film will be overlooked because of how dreary it is, but i think it is scary how truthful it turns out to be. The performances as you said though are amazing…if the best actor race wasn’t so crowded I think Leo would be a shoe in for a nomination, maybe he’ll sneak in. I just got out of the theater so it is still fresh in my head but i would of probably gave this slightly higher score then you did…maybe a 7.5 or even MADE if I let it sink in more. It might be right on the brink of my top 10 because I enjoyed it more then changeling which is also depressing with a glimmer of hope. Definitely one people should check out though, to see if they will like it or not.
January 5, 2009 at 4:01 pm
at first I was going to do 7.5 but then changed it because I didnt have the same feeling I did after seeing American Beauty or Road to Perdition which are both in the 8-10 range in my opinion. And movies I saw and liked more I gave around 7.5 so I chopped off the half point. If I attempted to make a Top 10 of the year, it would probably get cut but I havent attempted to make one yet.