Jason KingRevolutionary Road ($15-)
January 28th 2009 09:07
Category: No Category
Revolutionary Road ($15-)
"I wanted IN. I just wanted us to live again. 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 your hopes in a promise that was never made. Frank knows what he wants, he found his place, he's just fine. Married, two kids, it should be enough. It is for him. And he's right; we were never special or destined for anything at all. "
It's 1955. Frank and April Wheeler, in the seventh year of their marriage, have fallen into a life that appears to most as being perfect. They live in the Connecticut suburbs with two young children. Frank commutes to New York City where he works in an office job while April stays at home as a housewife. But they're not happy. April has forgone her dream of becoming an actress, and Frank hates his job - one where he places little effort - although he has never figured out what his passion in life is. One day, April suggests that they move to Paris - a city where Frank visited during the war and loved, but where April has never been - as a means to rejuvenate their life. April's plan: she would be the breadwinner, getting a lucrative secretarial job for one of the major international organizations, while Frank would have free time to find himself and whatever his passion. Initially skeptical, Frank ultimately agrees to April's plan. When circumstances change around the Wheelers, April decides she will do whatever she has to to get herself out of her unhappy existence.
This film just flawed me. I drove home numb and could not believe I didn't just run into another car. My mind was still processing the complex emotional characters a day after I saw the film. This is what would have happened if Jack survived Titanic and they tried to live the Stepford Wives life instead of following their hearts and doing everything they could. Their relationship and lives became the Titanic and life was an iceberg, everything would have sunk and drowned regardless. Leo and Kate are briliant and perfect and still have that chemistry. Leo will forver suffer the young man look and Kate looks like she could be dating someone way older but you cannot fault their chemistry and ability to bounce acting talent off each other. While Leo is my all time favourite actor he barely keeps up with Kate in this one, she is pure talent and is so unbelievably brilliant in this film. The scene where she screams will blow your mind. She is a tiger stuck in a small cage. Kate, you needed to get a hold of some meds honey.
Do not expect much to happen in this film, this is a film of pure quality and not quantity. It is similar in its study of suburban depression to Sam Mendes' brilliant film American Beauty, but this film, while it looks good, is minus the "beauty". There is nothing happy about this film and while you won't shed many tears your heart will cop a squeeze. I am astouded that Leo, Kate and hubby, Sam Mendes did not all garner Oscar nominations. Deservedly so, Michael Shannon did gain a nod for his superbly played "insane" neighbor's son, John Givings, and the part is quite small, but again, it's about quality. The film did not even get a nomination however the costume design did, and while not to the glamor of costume in Australia (movie) this film captures an era with flawless realism and attention to detail.
Trivia (thanks to IMDB):
1) This is the first film collaboration between Kate Winslet and husband Sam Mendes.
2) Todd Field had planned to follow up In the Bedroom (2001) with this film, but he decided to make Little Children (2006) (also starring Kate Winslet and Ty Simpkins) instead.
3) Child actors Ryan Simpkins and Ty Simpkins, who play Frank and April's children, are real-life siblings.
4) First movie Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Kathy Bates have worked on together since Titanic (1997).
5) It's the second time that Kathy Bates has played opposite both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, after Titanic (1997).
6) The rights to adapt the book into a movie were bought in 1967.
7) It's the first time Kate Winslet plays a character named April, the second time Leonardo DiCaprio plays a character named Frank, and the third time Kathy Bates plays a character named Helen.
8) Director Sam Mendes opted to watch the monitor from another room while directing the love scene between DiCaprio and Winslet.
9) The film is shot in sequence.
10) This is the second time Kate Winslet has been in a movie where she makes love in a vintage car and someone's hand hits the window and slides down it in the throes of passion - the first being Titanic (1997).
11) When purchasing tickets to travel to Paris, the tickets are on a Cunard Line steamer. Cunard Line is the predecessor to White Star lines, which built and owned the Titanic. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio together starred in Titanic (1997).
This is a heavy film with emotionally complex characters, I'm not sure I could think of any two actors that could pull off the roles of Frank and April Wheeler like Leonardo and Kate did.
This film will not interest teenagers, will enrapture the seniors and Merchant Ivory appreciating viewers and would make the most brilliant piece of theatre. The film is worth it just to see Kate and Leo back together again. Worth $15- and out Now.
"I wanted IN. I just wanted us to live again. 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 your hopes in a promise that was never made. Frank knows what he wants, he found his place, he's just fine. Married, two kids, it should be enough. It is for him. And he's right; we were never special or destined for anything at all. "
It's 1955. Frank and April Wheeler, in the seventh year of their marriage, have fallen into a life that appears to most as being perfect. They live in the Connecticut suburbs with two young children. Frank commutes to New York City where he works in an office job while April stays at home as a housewife. But they're not happy. April has forgone her dream of becoming an actress, and Frank hates his job - one where he places little effort - although he has never figured out what his passion in life is. One day, April suggests that they move to Paris - a city where Frank visited during the war and loved, but where April has never been - as a means to rejuvenate their life. April's plan: she would be the breadwinner, getting a lucrative secretarial job for one of the major international organizations, while Frank would have free time to find himself and whatever his passion. Initially skeptical, Frank ultimately agrees to April's plan. When circumstances change around the Wheelers, April decides she will do whatever she has to to get herself out of her unhappy existence.
This film just flawed me. I drove home numb and could not believe I didn't just run into another car. My mind was still processing the complex emotional characters a day after I saw the film. This is what would have happened if Jack survived Titanic and they tried to live the Stepford Wives life instead of following their hearts and doing everything they could. Their relationship and lives became the Titanic and life was an iceberg, everything would have sunk and drowned regardless. Leo and Kate are briliant and perfect and still have that chemistry. Leo will forver suffer the young man look and Kate looks like she could be dating someone way older but you cannot fault their chemistry and ability to bounce acting talent off each other. While Leo is my all time favourite actor he barely keeps up with Kate in this one, she is pure talent and is so unbelievably brilliant in this film. The scene where she screams will blow your mind. She is a tiger stuck in a small cage. Kate, you needed to get a hold of some meds honey.
Do not expect much to happen in this film, this is a film of pure quality and not quantity. It is similar in its study of suburban depression to Sam Mendes' brilliant film American Beauty, but this film, while it looks good, is minus the "beauty". There is nothing happy about this film and while you won't shed many tears your heart will cop a squeeze. I am astouded that Leo, Kate and hubby, Sam Mendes did not all garner Oscar nominations. Deservedly so, Michael Shannon did gain a nod for his superbly played "insane" neighbor's son, John Givings, and the part is quite small, but again, it's about quality. The film did not even get a nomination however the costume design did, and while not to the glamor of costume in Australia (movie) this film captures an era with flawless realism and attention to detail.
Trivia (thanks to IMDB):
1) This is the first film collaboration between Kate Winslet and husband Sam Mendes.
2) Todd Field had planned to follow up In the Bedroom (2001) with this film, but he decided to make Little Children (2006) (also starring Kate Winslet and Ty Simpkins) instead.
3) Child actors Ryan Simpkins and Ty Simpkins, who play Frank and April's children, are real-life siblings.
4) First movie Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Kathy Bates have worked on together since Titanic (1997).
5) It's the second time that Kathy Bates has played opposite both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, after Titanic (1997).
6) The rights to adapt the book into a movie were bought in 1967.
7) It's the first time Kate Winslet plays a character named April, the second time Leonardo DiCaprio plays a character named Frank, and the third time Kathy Bates plays a character named Helen.
8) Director Sam Mendes opted to watch the monitor from another room while directing the love scene between DiCaprio and Winslet.
9) The film is shot in sequence.
10) This is the second time Kate Winslet has been in a movie where she makes love in a vintage car and someone's hand hits the window and slides down it in the throes of passion - the first being Titanic (1997).
11) When purchasing tickets to travel to Paris, the tickets are on a Cunard Line steamer. Cunard Line is the predecessor to White Star lines, which built and owned the Titanic. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio together starred in Titanic (1997).
This is a heavy film with emotionally complex characters, I'm not sure I could think of any two actors that could pull off the roles of Frank and April Wheeler like Leonardo and Kate did.
This film will not interest teenagers, will enrapture the seniors and Merchant Ivory appreciating viewers and would make the most brilliant piece of theatre. The film is worth it just to see Kate and Leo back together again. Worth $15- and out Now.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by knt
Do not fall out of your chair that i have finally worked out how to respond to your bloody blog!! The reason being that i completly agree with your observations of the film "Revolutionary Road". One can never under estimate the brilliance of the body of work of Sam Mendes. To me he exemplifies what life is at its truest form. We are all want the same things in life: truth, honesty and freedom to express. Bravo
xxx Karin
Comment by Jason King
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Karin - YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!! She finally makes Orble commenting - partay everyone.
areall want the same things in life: truth, honesty and freedom to express.Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
I saw Revolutionary Road and loved it. Not yet read the book though.
It was great to see Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet together again since Titanic.
MIchael Shannon got an Oscar nomination for his role in this film, and he was a standout.
Cheers!
Comment by Jason King
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Glad you liked it!
When I first heard about the opportunity to see Leo and Kate together I nearly wet myself. Titanic is my all time favourite film and I was extremely happy to know they were returning onscreen together again.
But my grammar aside he was amazing!
Thanks heaps for commenting!
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
I missed out on seeing Jarhead but Sam Mendes' first two films were truly works of art and I guess we all have very high expectations for his work now.
Comment by Jason King
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David, wow - I didn't even realise Jarhead was his film LOL. I loved that one - this one is more like American Beauty set in the 50's with NO humor. And it's wonderful. Rent out Jarhead - it's worth a look. Looking forward to reading your review after seeing it on both films.
Thanks heaps for comments people - have a fun one!
Comment by Leonard Marlborough
Racing Write
I heard an interview on Radio National (The Bookshow) today about the work of Richard Yates who wrote Revolutionary Road. A seriously flawed individual, but sublime observer of the human condition. The literary expert said it (RR) was about reminding each of us that we are ordinary, and not special (as special as we think or would wish to be). Reality meets dreams.
Apparently the book is better (that's always a good debate).
I have not read the book, or seen the film yet. I enjoyed your review.
The reason that movies are so special is that they take us to so many places (in every sense). They don't need always to make us happy. I can easily go from Fight Club to Bowfinger to 21 Grams to Before Sunrise (not to forget Sunset) to American Beauty to Truly,Madly,Deeply or Memento. It sounds like Revolutionary Road takes us to places and thoughts we seldom visit.
Thanks for the tip about looking out for cars (parked or otherwise) on the way home. Great review.
Leonard
Comment by Leonard Marlborough
Racing Write
I heard an interview on Radio National (The Bookshow) today about the work of Richard Yates who wrote Revolutionary Road. A seriously flawed individual, but sublime observer of the human condition. The literary expert said it (RR) was about reminding each of us that we are ordinary, and not special (as special as we think or would wish to be). Reality meets dreams.
Apparently the book is better (that's always a good debate).
I have not read the book, or seen the film yet. I enjoyed your review.
The reason that movies are so special is that they take us to so many places (in every sense). They don't need always to make us happy. I can easily move from Fight Club to Bowfinger to 21 Grams to Before Sunrise (not to forget Sunset) to American Beauty to Truly,Madly,Deeply or Memento. It sounds like Revolutionary Road takes us to places and thoughts we seldom visit.
Thanks for the tip about looking out for cars (parked or otherwise) on the way home from the movies. Great review.
Leonard
Comment by Jason King
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Oops - double post.
The literary expert hit the nail on the head about this one. I think the shocking thing is at one time of our lives we have all felt like the lead characters. 99% of us are stuck in the rut of living to work and pay the bills and fall in step in the factory line of life. Kate Winslet portrays a 50's character so relevant to today that it's scary. She becomes the caged tiger that fights with all her strength to be that different extaordinary person.
I really like your selection of films listed - all except Bowfinger - I just loathed it
I think the book is always better but sometimes the book can match the film. I think the thing that makes the book sp special is we get to visualise and create our own movie, as a director, in our heads.
Maybe watch with someone for company and moral support on the way home.
Thanks very much for your comments.
Comment by skoop
no oscars doesn't surprise me...thats usually reserved for big budget stuff....
movie sounds like old hollywood when you had great character duo's that clicked...
tracy/hepburn; bogart/bacall; taylor/burton...
Comment by Jason King
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But I have to disagree re the big budget Oscar noms - yes, sometimes the massive budget films with great acting get nominated but I find more and more of the arthouse films get the awards due to their uniqueness and better story telling.
Thanks heaps for commenting!
Comment by Kevin 5
Review Mania: To Watch or Not To Watch
Debate Movies Movie Reviews
serious film serious film!
how's the representation of the era? ok? lame? excellent?
Comment by Jason King
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Tis excelentey!