Revolutionary Road (2008)

Director:

Sam Mendes

Writers (WGA):

Justin Haythe (screenplay)
Richard Yates (novel)

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

Plot Keywords:

Suburb | Connecticut | Children | Work | New York City

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Frank Wheeler
Kate Winslet	...	April Wheeler
Michael Shannon	...	John Givings
Ryan Simpkins	...	Jennifer Wheeler
Ty Simpkins	...	Michael Wheeler
Kathy Bates	...	Mrs. Helen Givings
Richard Easton	...	Mr. Howard Givings
Sam Rosen	...	Party Guest #7
Maria Rusolo	...	Party Dancer #1
Gena Oppenheim	...	Party Dancer #2
Kathryn Dunn	...	Party Dancer #3
Joe Komara	...	Party Dancer #4
Allison Twyford	...	Party Dancer #5
David Harbour	...	Shep Campbell
John Ottavino	...	Other Actor in the Play #1

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity.

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44282) | UK:15 | Netherlands:12 | South Africa:13LS | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-11 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Norway:11 | Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:18 | Brazil:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Sweden:7 | Spain:13 | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Singapore:M18 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Australia:M | Mexico:B15

Filming Locations:

Beacon Falls, Connecticut, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

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.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: April smokes Marlboro Lights, which were introduced in 1977.

Quotes:

Frank Wheeler: I want to feel things. Really feel them.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday

Revolutionary Road" is an all around beautifully, artistically crafted film with powerhouse performances

A show-stopping Leonardo DiCaprio becomes Frank Wheeler, with remarkable power and an insight we only get from the greatest kind of actors. Allowing the audience to become fully immersed in his psyche, letting us feel everything with him. Living his pain, resentment, and the smörgåsbord of emotions in between. It is a highly accomplished piece of acting from the lead actor that I cannot imagine being ignored come this award season. Frank is a flawed man that many people will be able to see aspects of themselves in. Not being satisfied with marriage, family, work. Feeling we are meant or destined for something greater, yet paradoxically feeling the doubt and insecurity in ourselves to really go after it. He's depressed, has a past he can't seem to let go of, he's arrogant, he's a liar, he's manipulative and in many ways immature. Yet we know him. He's our father growing up, he's a brother, friend or possibly even you. He makes mistakes and is almost embarrassingly human. What I found ultimately tragic about him was not the way in which he lied to others but the way in which he lied to himself. Leo DiCaprio uses his expressive face to brilliant effect as Frank. He was terrific in "Aviator" , "Blood Diamond", "This Boy's Life" and others and has rightfully earned his place as one of the finest actors of his generation. Having said that, this is a whole new layer to DiCaprio that none of us have seen before. He brings a new, mature type of authentic subtlety to his craft. He doesn't resort to any big physical transformation. It's all internal. This is a new height for him, and easily the greatest acting of his career. A performance of great emotional intensity and depth that I can say without hesitation, will be remembered for generations to come.

Kate Winslet plays April Wheeler with a sharp fervor. She is angry, depressed and intensely believes she and Frank are destined for something greater than a life of conformity in the burbs. She is a tragic character in that she is basically a closed book, she shuns the love that people try to give her, she is a free spirit and quite the handful. She comes up with an idea to break free of the conformity she shares with her husband in an attempt to revive their marriage and at first it seems to work - the passion for life and each other reignited. But after an unexpected event and other factors, will the dream plan go through?

The chemistry between Winslet and DiCaprio in "Revolutionary Road" reminded me in many ways of the chemistry between Liz Taylor and Richard Burton in the 1966 film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". They create an intensity in their arguments that is electric and palpable. You cannot take your eyes off them, they glue you to the screen and stick it to each other as sharply as the couple from "Virginia Woolf" were able to. Frank and April's story is grounded in a greater, more painful reality, however. DiCaprio's raging sobs are chilling.

The film is very dark. And the honesty practically guts you in some cases, so I don't think everyone will love it. Watching it was emotionally draining. Sam Mendes certainly did his job well here. It's his greatest film since "American Beauty".