Revolutionary Road

Released: 2008

MPAA rating: R

Run time: 1:59

Director Sam Mendes, who also directed "American Beauty", clearly is no fan of suburbia. "Revolutionary Road", based on a novel by Richard Yates, explores the relationship of Frank and April Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet), the "dream couple" with the nice house in the suburbs. Underneath the facade of a successful man and his loving wife is a deep dark underbelly of frustration, disappointment and the death of one's dreams. As the movie opens, we get the cliche of eyes meeting across a crowded room and love at first sight. Some other scenes set up the whirlwind romance leading to the perfect couple buying a house on the perfect street, Revolutionary Road. It does not take long for the cracks to appear as April realizes she never realized her dream to become an actress and Frank is also making a living, but not doing what he wants to do. She devises a plan for them to start all over and move to France where they can pursue their dreams. As they work toward that goal, a wrinkle is thrown into their plans and they disagree on how to proceed. This sets the stage for an examination into the dark side of suburbia, where responsibility to one's family comes in contrast to living your life the way you wanted. Interestingly, the only character who speaks plainly and directly in the whole film is a man who was recently released from a mental institution, begging the question: Who really IS crazy?? This is a dark movie that just about any of us can relate to one some level. Leonardo DiCaprio is brilliant in this role as the perfect man trying to be the perfect husband and father and never quite getting anything right. Winslet is also terrific as the torn housewife who just cannot let go of her dreams and is having trouble adapting to the white picket fence life. While being a bit melodramatic at times, it is scary how there is enough here for any one of us suburbanites to relate to on some level. This is a well-written, well-directed, well-acted tragic story. It may depress you, but it is compelling and worth a watch!

Grade: A

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