Movie Review - “Revolutionary Road”
*** STARS
“Revolutionary Road” is one of the most intense and traumatizing films I have seen in a long time. After leaving the theater I felt completely drained and emotionally wrecked. This film is so good it is devastating. The subject matter of this film is not only compelling but it is exhaustingly all too real. If you go into this film looking for the romantic chemistry of “Titanic”, then you will be in for quite a shock.
Set in 1955, the film focuses on the hopes and aspirations of Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet), self-assured Connecticut suburbanites who see themselves as very different from their neighbors in the Revolutionary Hill Estates. Seeking to break out of their suburban rut, April convinces Frank they should move to Paris. As they start to plan the move and share their ideas with friends, their marriage begins to crumble exposing the ugly side of their private lives.
Watching these two extremely talented actors square off in explosive fits of anger reminded me of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton’s electrifying abusive performances in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?”. It was hard to tell how much of these scenes were improvised and how much of it was actually scripted, it felt so real. Just like the brilliant basic cable show “Mad Men” set in the late 50’s, this film makes you wonder about the ideals and morals that this time in our History has instilled into society and how it eventually conflicts with true happiness.
Viewers in the mood for a gut wrenching drama with two of the best actors around should go ahead and partake, but be prepared to leave the theatre in a state of profound depression. “Revolutionary Road” is a mesmerizing look at marriage, personal mistakes and spoiled dreams that hits hard right from the beginning and never lets up. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio both deserve Best Acting Nominations at this years Academy Awards. This may even be the role that Kate Winslet needs to score her first ever gold statue; it would be rightfully deserved if so!
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