Revolutionary Road

"Revolutionary Road" is a downer. However it ain't the type of downer that depresses me personally most likely due to the fact that I am not married. "Revolutionary Road" centers on a 60's bored suburban couple April and Frank Wheeler played by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio respectively. Frank works at a job he despises while April( a failed actress) cooks,cleans and takes care of the kids. We open the film with the first of many fights. This one centers on a lousy community play April has just appeared in. The day after Frank and April are ridiculously hostile to each other. Frank deals with the hostility by taking a nice refreshing dip in the secretarial pool. April however comes up with an idea bound to release them from their suburban hell. They can move to Paris! Because being in a different country will solve all their problems! April and Frank rejoice in the hope of moving with their enthusiastic children to Paris. However gradually the plan begins to fall apart as does April.

This film was directed by Sam Mendes husband of Winslet. He also directed the famous tale of suburban soul suckadge "American Beauty." While that film centered on a husbands mid life crisis this centers mostly on the crisis of the wife (although both characters are equally important.)The idea of moving to Paris fro April is essentially the equivalent of "American Beauty's" Lester's plan to relive his youth by winning the "heart" of a young cheerleader. THis film isn't as funny as "american Beauty" and its alos a bit more of a downer. "American Beauty" retaained some hope through its teenage chracters, however the children in "Rvolutionary Road" are A: not even wanted, and B: Barely in the movie.

The two best things about this movie are A: its use of color and tone and B: its performances. DiCaprio and Winslet are both wonderful. DiCaprio manages to give a sometimes endearing sometimes pathetic vulnerability to his rather aggressive and unfaithful husband. After April tells him she truly deeply HATES him, he cries and screams and almost begs her not to hate him. You don't know weather to cry for him or spit at him. Winslet is more aggressive in the idea of changing her life, perhaps because she is offended by Frank's complete control over her life. You never truly feel as if she hates but rather hates the lack of control she has over her own life. She has been doomed to live the same monotonous existence for eternity. Frank has more hope because of the job he despises. With promotions come the hope that his life will change. April's life is hopeless and Winslet shows this hopelessness fearlessly. A favorite of mine Micheal Shannon is also a standout as A psychotic truth teller who visits the Wheelers. HE justly recived an oscar nomination (although he has no chance of winning. Thanks Heath Ledger.)

The other great thing about the film is its look. Everything on screen is freakishly clean and pastel. A notable shot involves frank journey to work accompanied by a thousand other identically dressed robotic men, another involves April taking out the garbage. It is beautiful yes but something isn't quite right. Much like the Wheelers marriage. Much like this movie.