Revolutionary Road Movie Review: Titanic Pair Kate-Dicaprio Bring Back Old Magic
Revolutionary Road opens with April and Frank meeting at a party. The next time they know is that they're married and moving to the suburbs. Frank works for a company that makes something he doesn't know or care about while April is relegated to the sad existence of the housewife.
Synopsis of the revolutionary road
April, a former aspiring actress, is not good enough to continue and Frank's professional life leaves a lot to be desired. Tired of the constant bickering and fighting, April suggests moving the lock, butt and barrel to Paris, the only place worth living according to Frank who spent part of his early years there.
April convinces her husband that with the children not too old, the move would only do them good. The next few weeks are the best of their lives. They become the envy of their friends and live it by planning their move.
For a long time, they didn't feel as alive as they did while planning the exodus. Frank's explosion at work due to his departure earns him respect from his boss and he makes an offer that forces Frank to reconsider his departure.
April can't believe her only chance to make things right is in danger and things are falling apart.
Worth a detour on Revolutionary Road
Revolutionary Road is a poignant story of a couple who are forced to come to terms with the fact that they are no different from ordinary millions like them.
Based on a novel by Richard Yates, the film is the story of almost everyone in this world who has seen a dream or two break. In the hands of director Sam Mendes (American Beauty), Revolutionary Road transcends more than just a movie and reaches a level rarely seen in recent films.
Photographed by Roger Deakins, the film can seem slow and heavy at times, but it plays out wonderfully and nothing is less than genius.
Mendes uses the real-life relationship between Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio to make the instant connection April and Frank experience without wasting too much screen time.
Mendes mixes the two so well in the viewer's psyche that when they fight you feel the blows.
Once April realizes that Frank isn't so keen on moving to Paris, she falls into an abyss that consumes her.
Kate Winslet is not considered the best actress of her time for no reason. In April, she leaves herself emotionally naked, resulting in a tormented character who doesn't want to stray from her mundane existence but to integrate elsewhere with the same man she fell in love with.
Revolutionary Road is a story of young lovers who have promised each other the world and, a few years later, realize that they are not as special as they thought they were. Normal life saps the love and energy of Frank and April, leaving them cold and bitter.
Final words on the revolutionary road
The only flaw in the film remains the underuse of the couple's children. It's easy to imagine that they would leave the kids at the neighbors' house or maybe the kids were sleeping, but expect that each time to ask too much of the public.
The absent children could not have been removed as the cute suburban family photo would not have been complete.
Other than that little flaw, Revolutionary Road is well designed and strives for perfection in every setting, from drama and costume to production design.
Too bad therefore that it has been so grossly neglected at all major costs; don't miss it.
Revolutionary road rating: 4/5
Revolutionary Road Starcast: Kate Winslet, Leonardo di Caprio, Christopher Fitzgerald, Heidi Armbruster, Marin Ireland, Samantha Soule
Revolutionary Road Genre: Romance / Drama
History of the Revolutionary Road: Justin Hayeth