Sam Mendes (American Beauty) re-unites Kate Winslet & Leo DiCaprio, for the first time since Titanic days, as April and Frank Wheeler. They play a young couple living with their two children in a Connecticut suburb in the mid-1950s. The Wheeler's are successful but unsatisfied... Frank is stuck in a well-paid but boring office job and April still mourns the demise of her acting career.
Depressed by the mediocre sprawl of suburbanites who surround them, they impulsively decide to move to France where they'll regain the excitement and artistic sensibilities of their younger years. But this decision lays bare the fragility of their relationship.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
Having relationship issues? Well, be warned that Revolutionary Road tackles the politics of ‘settling down’ head-on, without flinching. It’s classy, it’s pretty, sometimes it’s even very, very funny, but not once does it release its grip on the theme.
Arguably the two most watchable Hollywood stars of their generation, Winslet and DiCaprio are at their peaks – nailing every difficult scene, feeding off each other, making the Wheelers seem as real as the seat you’re sitting in. It can’t have been easy for Sam Mendes to direct his wife (Winslet) in such an unrelenting exploration of marital dissatisfaction, but the result is well worth the Golden Globe she tearily scooped – and there are scenes in which she’s never looked more stunning. There’s a gorgeous poetic touch to the surroundings too – Mendes and DoP Roger Deakins turning a morning commute into something of a rat-race ballet and using garden sprinklers, dappled light and pastel tones to elegantly decorate the period settings.
Without wanting to reveal too much, the only problem is what you come away with once all the intra-marriage sparring is done and the credits roll. There are a lot of issues left hanging there, depressingly unresolved – as is often the case in real life. A brilliantly made film then, but if you’re planning on using it for a night out with your partner, sit tight, hold hands and be very, very nice to each other afterwards.
By Ashley Bird, Flicks.co.nz
The opinions appear to be divided: some love it, for others its a waste of money. I agree with the BBC reviewer: The characters are too shallow and length of the movie does not allow to develop the complexity of the issues, the relationship or the characters. Again a movie, which wants to compress a thick and well written book into just two hours. This does not work and has only disappointing results. On the other hand, if you love to see DeCaprio and K Winslet and the last film you have seen with them is Titanic, its worthwhile going to see how different they can act.
Pretentious acting, poor directing and dire screenplay. Two main characters were cold and unlovable. Direction was hurried and without any kind of focus. If the lovemaking scenes in this are Mendes idea of passion, I feel sorry for Winslet. Kate Winslet is an average actress who believes the hype that she is a great one. All involved need to get out more.
I love this kind of head-on assault with the human condition in all its ultra-depressing glory. Very contemporary although set in the 50's. Very "american beauty' but 10 years more maturity from Mendes. Leonardo and Kate show true artistry - intensely imploding and exploding. Lots of nervous laughter when the lights came on - definitely touching some late-capitalism, late-relationship nerves and managing to stir up some existential questioning. A juicy lamb shank.
Really loved this film. Very nicely put together, with some terrific performances. Very powerful in parts. Good use of music, beautifully shot. Captivating. Can't say enough good things. Please see it.
I loved this film - while minor elements annoyed me, the whole had a powerful impact. Flicks review says there are issues left hanging, but this is what is so great about it... had it in my head for days.
This film is so good it is devastating.
Handsomely done and beautifully acted, just slightly wanting in a screenplay that leaves questions unanswered about what’s behind these unhappy people. And it’s ultra-depressing...
In "Virginia Woolf," George and Martha are locked into a symbiotic, disturbingly needy relationship that absolutely feed off their acidic battles. But for Revolutionary Road's Frank and April Wheeler, you wonder: Why don't they just get a divorce?
Encouraged by Mendes' artful direction, his gift for eliciting naturalness, the core of this film finally cries out to us today, makes us see that the notion of characters struggling with life, with the despair of betraying their best selves because of what society will or won't allow, is as gripping and relevant now as it ever was. Or ever will be.
The kind of great novel that Hollywood tends to botch, because much of it takes place inside the heads of its characters, and because the Wheelers aren't especially likeable and because pessimism without obvious redemption is a tough sell.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 22nd Jan 2009.
Release date: January 22nd 2009.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
