Rating: R
Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Wheeler
Kate Winslet as April Wheeler
Kathy Bates as Mrs. Helen Givings
Michael Shannon as John Givings
Richard Easton as Howard Givings
Kathryn Hahn as Milly Campbell
David Harbour as Shep Campbell
Zoe Kazan as Maureen Grube
Ryan Simpkins as Jennifer Wheeler
Ty Simpkins as Michael Wheeler
John Behlmann as Mr. Brace
Timothy McCartney as Young Frank
Sean Cullen as Frank’s father
Timothy Warmen as April’s father
David Campbell as Vito’s Bartender
Max Casella as Ed Small
Kristen Connolly as Mrs. Brace
Evan Covey as Campbell Son 2
Lorian Gish as Young April
Dylan Clark Marshall as Campbell son
Brennan McKay as Duke Mantee
Adam Mucci as Jason Maple
Directed by Sam Mendes
Special Features:
– Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Sam Mendes and Screenwriter Justin Haythe
– Lives of Quiet Desperation: The Making of “Revolutionary Road”
– Audio Commentary with Sam Mendes – Director, Justin Haythe – Screenwriter
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.35:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish and French Languages
Spanish and French Subtitles
Running Time: 118 Minutes
The Movie:
The following is the official description of the film:
“Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio and Academy Award winner Kate Winslet reunite for two powerful, groundbreaking performances in Revolutionary Road. Based on the bestseller by Richard Yates, this mesmerizing and moving story follows the lives of a passionate young couple living in suburban Connecticut who decide to risk everything to pursue their dreams. They’re willing to break away from the ordinary – but can they do it without breaking apart?
“Revolutionary Road” is rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Mini-Review:
There are certain movies that I just don’t like. It doesn’t matter how good the cast is, how many awards it wins, or how good it looks. The story simply turns me off. “Revolutionary Road” is one of those stories. It’s a tale of two people whose lives slowly circle down the toilet before being ultimately flushed away without redemption or purpose. It’s a movie that’s downright depressing and, for me, has no redeeming qualities. It doesn’t entertain me, it doesn’t make me think, it doesn’t inspire me. It’s a film that’s sole purpose is to depress and/or mock the audience.
Hollywood seems to have it out for the Average Joe. The vast majority of films can’t seem to comprehend how someone could possibly be happy working a 9 to 5 job, living in a suburban neighborhood, and raising 2.5 kids. “Revolutionary Road” is one of those films. The Wheelers find themselves in just such a position. Are they happy because they actually have a job? Nope. Are they happy because they’re actually able to have healthy children? Nope. Are they happy they own their own home? Nope. They find themselves in a position many people would be enviable of, yet all they do is become miserable and find themselves in a downward spiral of depression, bitterness, and sorrow. And any character in the film that is happy with their situation is a mindless drone. Thank you Hollywood.
You really want to reach in the screen and slap the Wheelers. Everything they do in the film is driven by selfishness. Frank is selfish for having an affair and for not being in tune with his wife’s needs. April is selfish for not putting her family first and for resorting to abortion as a way of getting what she wants. They’re both naive for thinking moving to Paris will solve all their problems. I like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet a lot, but I didn’t like their characters at all. And despite giving good performances, those performances generally consist of them yelling and screaming and insulting each other in an escalating pattern until it all implodes. It’s downright miserable.
On the positive side, this is a good looking film as previously mentioned. Michael Shannon also shakes things up as John Givings. He says a lot of what the audience is thinking, but it’s all for naught.
Don’t pick up “Revolutionary Road” and expect it to be some romantic re-teaming of the couple from “Titanic.” This is a dark, depressing film. Maybe that’s your kind of movie. If it is, then you’ll find it worth checking out. If not, move on to lighter fare.
This DVD has your basic offerings of deleted scenes, a commentary (without Winslet or DiCaprio), and a making of featurette.
