Rating:
5 out of 5 fo'ties!Who will enjoy it:
Those dying to see Kate and Leo reunite may or may not be disappointed. We're all a bit older now (and some of us more jaded) - if this is the case, after seeing this movie you'll burn all of your Titanic CDs and posters in order to make room for all of the new Revolutionary Road memorabilia you're about to purchase. If you're still stuck on the sweet, epic serenade of young love, you may need to return your opening night ticket - this is no Titanic sequel. Movie critics will heart this cinematic venture; but if you're looking for something upbeat: stay home.
Synopsis: based on the best-selling novel (Richard Yates) from 1961, Revolutionary Road is named after the street on which the young and beautiful Wheelers live. In a big house, on a well-manicured road, with two children and a good job, the Wheelers are the American dream realized. But is it possible that the way we've molded society isn't the right way for a human to live? If you find yourself trapped in the machine of civilization, how do you escape it once the wheels have been put into motion? The tensions caused by the feelings of suffocation and disappointment concerning the path their lives have taken is breaking April (Winslet) and Frank's (DiCaprio) relationship apart. Now let the drama unfold.
Sam Mendes of American Beauty fame directs, and the result is a gorgeous, slow-flowing symphony. The 1950s truly come alive in the most authentic of ways for the 119 minute running time. The whole world surrounding Frank and April is numbly asleep and complacent in the suburbias and meaningless corporate jobs they find themselves in. The Wheelers, however, are different, special - at least they imagine themselves to be. The most powerful aspect of this movie is its reminder of the glorious, seemingly immortal ego of youth.
The philosophy of the film: all of us, in some time or another during our growth, experience a personal calling into some form of greatness. We feel unique enough and well enough equipped to conquer some foreign thing, make some severe impact - make a name for ourselves. Each of us holds a remarkable destiny, waiting to be unhatched. It's the sublime spark that tells us that we are different, special, and capable of any possibility we might chase after. It is a magical feeling of unquestionable importance which makes us feel as a superhero must, and it is a feeling which inevitably dies in almost every single adult. There comes a point when cynicism, or routine, or any other means of execution to our self esteems by incremements occurs. And then that glory we feel evaporates, and we are, to our dismay, like in accomplishment and form to everyone else. How did our marvelous fates escape us? They seemed so close at hand.
The answer to this question is what April seeks the entire film. She drowns in the mediocrity of taking the trash out, cooking dinner, and visiting the neighbors across the street. The promise of excitement and of "life", she emphasizes, seems right outside her door... outside the town... outside the country, to Paris. The sudden and dramatic change, she convinces herself, will provide the fuel she and Frank need to become what they were truly meant to be originally - great individuals who rise above the redundancy of the world. "I saw a whole other future. I can't stop seeing it." Frank agrees to the proposal at first, but uprooting is a difficult thing to swallow, and his mindset appears to switch back and forth between the typical, safety-yearning suburbanite and a whimsical and self-important artist. As Mendes himself stated: the two characters seem caught in opposite currents, and though they are ever trying to reach for one another, they steadily drift further and further apart.
On technical aspect, the cinematography is breath-taking, as would be expected from Mendes. The set work is beautiful and full of note-worthy details. By far, however, the most splendid of accomplishments would be the acting displayed by Mr. DiCaprio and Mrs. Winslet. A two hour movie dedicated mostly to scenes of two married persons arguing and being emotional has the potential to put its audience to sleep, but the result in Revolutionary Road is far from nap-inducing. On the contrary, if you don't desire to go out and do all of those things you said you'd do "some day", then this reviewer would be surprised. The two actors portray themselves as anyone you might know... or anyone you might be. If Kate Winslet's beautiful breakdown doesn't get you in the gut with lines like,
"For years I thought we've shared this secret that we would be wonderful in the world. I don't know exactly how, but just the possibility kept me hoping. How pathetic is that? So stupid. To put all of your hopes in a promise that was never made... he's right. We were never special or destined for anything at all."
Then you're a lucky human being, and you've either caught your glory by the reins and steered yourself down to a fulfilling path of greatness, or you're living in the happy bliss of unawareness and complacency.
Kate Winslet's April character is the perfect antithesis to what society forces on its occupants, especially those who bear children. Is it true that we have to live this certain way, the way everyone else does?... or is it all a long-running joke? "Who made these rules anyway?" Her mental and emotional deterioration is a wonderful symbol of what leading the "wrong" life can do to a person. Perhaps America has not yet found the healthiest and most intellectually stimulating and satisfying manner of living, but no one else seems to notice or mind. April and Frank display the effects that this can have on a person's psyche, especially in the routine-fueled and unfantastic 1950s. To add to the impact of the film, Frank and April sincerely appear to harbor feelings of "true love" for one another. Leonardo and Kate's on-screen romantic chemistry has only heightened and matured since their last rendezvous on a doomed ship in the 1990s...
Have several truly stiff drinks prepared and on hand for after the show. This story, for many, will hit home right between the lungs and stay there. It is a story of regret and fear, disappointment and painful restlessness; and most of all, heartache. This film displays human emotion and nature with such incredible insight and authenticity that it could be a living thing itself. This is a movie full of truths, and they're the kind that stick to your ribs for days and days.
Verdict: If any of this sounds familiar, or you're just looking for a superbly acted film, do yourself a favor and see this one. Just be prepared for the potential emotional consequences. Then again, maybe you'll be inspired to give yourself an exciting second chance at life. Good luck.
But don't take my word for it: professional critique here.
Sam Mendes of American Beauty fame directs, and the result is a gorgeous, slow-flowing symphony. The 1950s truly come alive in the most authentic of ways for the 119 minute running time. The whole world surrounding Frank and April is numbly asleep and complacent in the suburbias and meaningless corporate jobs they find themselves in. The Wheelers, however, are different, special - at least they imagine themselves to be. The most powerful aspect of this movie is its reminder of the glorious, seemingly immortal ego of youth.
The philosophy of the film: all of us, in some time or another during our growth, experience a personal calling into some form of greatness. We feel unique enough and well enough equipped to conquer some foreign thing, make some severe impact - make a name for ourselves. Each of us holds a remarkable destiny, waiting to be unhatched. It's the sublime spark that tells us that we are different, special, and capable of any possibility we might chase after. It is a magical feeling of unquestionable importance which makes us feel as a superhero must, and it is a feeling which inevitably dies in almost every single adult. There comes a point when cynicism, or routine, or any other means of execution to our self esteems by incremements occurs. And then that glory we feel evaporates, and we are, to our dismay, like in accomplishment and form to everyone else. How did our marvelous fates escape us? They seemed so close at hand.
The answer to this question is what April seeks the entire film. She drowns in the mediocrity of taking the trash out, cooking dinner, and visiting the neighbors across the street. The promise of excitement and of "life", she emphasizes, seems right outside her door... outside the town... outside the country, to Paris. The sudden and dramatic change, she convinces herself, will provide the fuel she and Frank need to become what they were truly meant to be originally - great individuals who rise above the redundancy of the world. "I saw a whole other future. I can't stop seeing it." Frank agrees to the proposal at first, but uprooting is a difficult thing to swallow, and his mindset appears to switch back and forth between the typical, safety-yearning suburbanite and a whimsical and self-important artist. As Mendes himself stated: the two characters seem caught in opposite currents, and though they are ever trying to reach for one another, they steadily drift further and further apart.
On technical aspect, the cinematography is breath-taking, as would be expected from Mendes. The set work is beautiful and full of note-worthy details. By far, however, the most splendid of accomplishments would be the acting displayed by Mr. DiCaprio and Mrs. Winslet. A two hour movie dedicated mostly to scenes of two married persons arguing and being emotional has the potential to put its audience to sleep, but the result in Revolutionary Road is far from nap-inducing. On the contrary, if you don't desire to go out and do all of those things you said you'd do "some day", then this reviewer would be surprised. The two actors portray themselves as anyone you might know... or anyone you might be. If Kate Winslet's beautiful breakdown doesn't get you in the gut with lines like,
"For years I thought we've shared this secret that we would be wonderful in the world. I don't know exactly how, but just the possibility kept me hoping. How pathetic is that? So stupid. To put all of your hopes in a promise that was never made... he's right. We were never special or destined for anything at all."
Then you're a lucky human being, and you've either caught your glory by the reins and steered yourself down to a fulfilling path of greatness, or you're living in the happy bliss of unawareness and complacency.
Kate Winslet's April character is the perfect antithesis to what society forces on its occupants, especially those who bear children. Is it true that we have to live this certain way, the way everyone else does?... or is it all a long-running joke? "Who made these rules anyway?" Her mental and emotional deterioration is a wonderful symbol of what leading the "wrong" life can do to a person. Perhaps America has not yet found the healthiest and most intellectually stimulating and satisfying manner of living, but no one else seems to notice or mind. April and Frank display the effects that this can have on a person's psyche, especially in the routine-fueled and unfantastic 1950s. To add to the impact of the film, Frank and April sincerely appear to harbor feelings of "true love" for one another. Leonardo and Kate's on-screen romantic chemistry has only heightened and matured since their last rendezvous on a doomed ship in the 1990s...
Have several truly stiff drinks prepared and on hand for after the show. This story, for many, will hit home right between the lungs and stay there. It is a story of regret and fear, disappointment and painful restlessness; and most of all, heartache. This film displays human emotion and nature with such incredible insight and authenticity that it could be a living thing itself. This is a movie full of truths, and they're the kind that stick to your ribs for days and days.
Verdict: If any of this sounds familiar, or you're just looking for a superbly acted film, do yourself a favor and see this one. Just be prepared for the potential emotional consequences. Then again, maybe you'll be inspired to give yourself an exciting second chance at life. Good luck.
But don't take my word for it: professional critique here.
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