Revolutionary Road

Synopsis

Based on the novel by Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road chronicles a young couple that settles down in a Connecticut suburb in the mid-1950s. They become increasingly frustrated with their mundane lives. Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed) is stuck in an office job that he hates and April (Kate Winslet, The Reader) is a housewife with crumbled dreams of being an actress. Both wishing they could be happy like they use to be before the kids and the move to Revolutionary Road. They argue relentlessly as they keep up appearances that they are a special couple above the mediocrity of suburban living.

Review

I would suggest watching a comedy after this cinematic experience. It’s not a happy-feel-good kind of movie. Revolutionary Road is very dynamic with its dialogue, directing and acting. I really wanted to see this film because of Leonardo DiCaprio (Body of Lies). This man never disappoints. He is a polished actor. He acts through his eyes. You can see him smiling through his eyes. You can see him pissed off through his eyes. Leo doesn’t mess around. One day this man will win an Oscar. He has everything it takes to do it. And throw in his sidekick Kate Winslet (The Reader) then you have the perfect recipe.

This film is adapted from the novel by Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road. It tells the story about a young couple, Frank (Dicaprio) and April (Winslet) Wheeler. Everyone sees this couple as special and so do they until they end up feeling trapped after moving from the city to a lovely suburban home on Revolutionary Road. They fell into domestication and married life.

The man works 50 hours a week year after year at a job he can’t stand and his wife, who is a homemaker, left her dreams behind to tend to the house and kids alone for long hours at a time. Frank and April thought they’d be superior to it all and not buy into the same ludicrous delusion of resigning from life. They look up and realize they are just like everyone else -- boring and unfulfilled.

First of all, what were they expecting when it came to marriage, kids, work and a house in the suburbs? That it was supposed to be a grand old party every day? That they were going to smell fresh roses day and night? Funny thing is Frank and April did think this until reality sunk in. Here you have a beautiful couple with two lovely children and all the couple does is yell and fight. I just kept saying "Work it out. Have a date night – something." Whew! These characters just got to me a bit. This movie should be called Squabbles.

Winslet of course is the consummate actor. Every word she said had an emotion that just hit you right in the gut. How impressive this entire cast was. The supporting actors such as Michael Shannon (Lucky You) who depicts a disturbed individual that was quite smart and can see the not so obvious in the “perfect couple.” That man brought some new flavor to the mix. He was all up in the Wheeler’s business.

You know I would not recommend this movie to any engaged couples because I can see them leaving the theater totally deflated. View with caution. To the married couples, I would say take some notes because this film may provide some marital counseling whether you need it or not. Revolutionary Road really shows how a couple can end up resenting each other and when that happens…mmm mmm mmm you better call Dr. Phil or email Oprah.

The very dark Revolutionary Road will not be forgotten because the acting of course is brilliant; the story could have been set in any year and my goodness it leaves you with a very sour taste in your mouth. So sour, you would have thought you threw a big King-Kong size handful of those Lemon Head candies in your jaws.

After watching this movie I held my hubby's hand a little tighter and hugged him much stronger. And when we had a stupid tiff the next day about what/where we were going to eat we just squashed it without saying a word. We did it through actions. I cooked us some yummy perogies. And the beat went on.

This is a movie of true professionals and if I was an aspiring actor, you best believe I would watch and study this film like a final exam.

My Rating ~ 4 Reels

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)