Revolutionary Road (Paramount Vantage)
A Rocky Road To Hell
Sam Mendes directs his wife Kate Winslet, along with her Titanic co star Leonardo DiCaprio, in a story of a young couple spiraling down to disaster. Based on the novel of the same name by Richard Yates, this is a story that will depress the life out of you. Go see it when you are in a cheerful mood, otherwise watch out!
Frank and April Wheeler (DiCaprio and Winslet) are part of the middle class in the 1950s. He has a job he hates while she is a stay at home mom. They both dream of something better coming their way. Finally they hatch an idea to flee to Paris where April will work until Frank finds a job he loves. It is pie in the sky by and by but they both buy into it.
While waiting for the big move they go through the drudgery of their lives. He has an affair and she smokes a lot of cigarettes. When their real estate agent (Kathy Bates) brings her mentally messed up son (Michael Shannon) to dinner, he holds a mirror of sorts up to their pipe dream.
The acting in this film is amazing. DiCaprio has never been this intense and compelling in any other role. He is a force on the screen and makes you want to watch Frank to uncover every facet of his character. Winslet is equally good. She acts with any intensity that is stunning to perceive. There is a sense of desperation that is reflected in her eyes and in every movement she makes.
Michael Shannon certainly earned his Academy Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. He is riveting in his performance, and this should lead to bigger and better roles for him.
But even with that caliber of acting this movie is still difficult to watch and to understand. This is a couple mismatched from the start but still in love with each other in a dissolute sort of way. They are friends, lovers and enemies all rolled up in one tangled relationship.
The movie is rated R for profanity, violence and sexual situations.
Revolutionary Road is a one way street to gloom and doom. The acting is amazing but that only serves to make the darkness darker. Go to see the acting but dont go expecting an entertaining story. It just isnt there.
I scored Revolutionary Road a dreary 4 out of 10.
