Revolutionary Road

Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunite 11 years after their mega-blockbuster for Revolutionary Road, a story of a marriage unraveling in 1955. Once idealistic dreamers, Frank and April Wheeler have found themselves in a rut. Having given in to the pressure of conformity, he is “toiling away” at a boring job, while she plays the dutiful suburban housewife and mother of two children (who are noticeably absent for most of the proceedings). She then hatches a plan to relocate to Paris, where she will work as a government secretary and allow him time to find his true calling. But it is obvious from the outset this “fantasy” will never come to pass.

Winslet gives a superb performance as a woman whose dreams never materialized. Longing for adventure, she is clearly a woman in pain. Every time she appears on screen, her intensity is riveting. This is, undoubtedly, a banner year for her, which includes her recent and stunning portrayal of a remorseless Nazi in The Reader. Winslet frequently overshadows DiCaprio, whose performance, by no means poor, cannot measure up to an actress of her calibre; in the future, he would be wise to star in films with lesser-knowns. And it is still hard to accept him as a serious actor, with his perpetual baby face and squeaky voice.

Frank and April are the popular and beautiful couple, admired by their average-looking friends (who, out of jealousy, try to dissuade them from moving to Europe). Yet, beneath the façade, the Wheelers have little respect for each other. When their emotions boil over into heated arguments – although this hardly constitutes entertainment – their interaction is fascinating to watch.

Titanic alum Kathy Bates also appears as a busybody neighbour, but it is the creepy Michael Shannon as her emotionally troubled son who steals the show. He freely expresses his insensitive opinions about the Wheelers’ motivations, and pinpoints their selfishness with chilling accuracy.

Based on the 1961 novel by Richard Yates, which was an indictment of the conservative and repressive Eisenhower era, Revolutionary Road is an interesting character study. Screenwriter Justin Haythe carefully handles the unpleasant material, exploring what constitutes rational and sane behavior.

Directed by Winslet’s husband, Sam Mendes (who also co-produced), the film is beautifully crafted with great period atmosphere. Every shot offers something to ponder, even when there is no dialogue. We can see the unhappiness on the faces of commuters as they trudge through Grand Central Station, people who are dead inside but simply going through the motions. The narrative is enhanced by nostalgic set decoration and Thomas Newman’s agitated score.

A disturbing film that questions the American Dream, Revolutionary Road is populated by unlikeable people. But these are also the same people we put up with in our own lives. People who are struggling to project a façade of happiness, success, and control, despite the insecurities that lurk inside. Rating: 8 out of 10.