Revolutionary Road starring
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
Film As Art.
In Revolutionary Road, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio reunite for the
first time since their careers exploded with Titanic--and its almost as if
theyre playing the same characters, only married and faced with the
hollowness of a 1950s suburban existence. Frank a nd April Wheeler
(DiCaprio and Winslet) always thought of themselves as special, but they
settled in a conventional Connecticut suburb when they had children.
Hungry for a less constricted life, April persuades Frank to move to Paris--
but slowly their plans unravel and their marriage unravels along with it.
While Revolutionary Road may be a bit too glib about suburban emptiness-
-the lives Frank and April lead dont seem so stifled--the portrait of a
mismatched marriage is vivid and devastating. The ways that Frank and
April misinterpret each other, and the subtle yet unbearable dissatisfaction
they feel, is rendered with remarkable and unsettling acuteness. Winslet
and DiCaprios natural chemistry tells us what drew these two together,
making the way they tear each other apart all the more shocking. The
excellent supporting cast includes Kathy Bates (Misery), Dylan Baker
(Happiness), and especially Michael Shannon (Bug) as a mentally troubled
mathematician who cuts to the quick of the Wheelers troubles. Mention
must be made of the beautiful production design; the costumes and sets
are simply gorgeous. --Bret Fetzer
Stills from Revolutionary Road (Click for larger image)
Adapted from Richard Yates first novel, Revolutionary Road exposes the
adversities of a young couple living in a Connecticut suburban
neighborhood during the 1950s who simply realize too late that they were
never meant to be.
Frank Wheeler (Dicaprio) and April Wheeler (Winslet) feel as though they
must standout from all the other mundane and ordinary suburbanites in
their neighborhood. Frank, a marketer who works for Knoxx business
(equivalent to IBM in those days) machines, is profoundly miserable at his
job as he diligently works in a cubicle and engages in secretarial affairs
with the novice typist. April, a struggling actress, who apparently never
received her big break in show biz does not like to talk about her failures.
During the beginning of the film, we are introduced to a quick flashback of
how they met at a party while they were younger; Frank exhibits his witty,
charming charisma as he gives April the impression of eventually leading a
spontaneous life in Paris in the future. However, the viewer only begi ns to
find out that this was merely a sales pitch or a common characteristic of a
marketer. On the contrary, April falls for it no less. Fast forwarding to the
present, April now lives in an ordinary life on Revolutionary Road with
Frank and her two childr en and receives frequent visits from her inquisitive
real estate agent (Kathy Bates) accompanied with her mentally unstable
son. April feels as though she is leading a very unsatisfying and unfulfilled
life. To add some excitement in their relationship, April broaches Franks
former idea of actually pursuing a career and settling in Paris as a
secretary because it simply pays handsomely; meanwhile, it will
beneficially fit Frank because he can finally figure out what he wants to do
with his life. Frank refuses at first because according to him it is just
unrealistic but eventually obliges because he too feels as though they
need something new and spontaneous to reinvent their relationship.
Despite the neighbors and Franks fellow co-workers disbelief in this
childish and radical decision, things seem to go very smoothly in the
Wheeler family; the house they just bought is now on sale, their belongings
are packed, the children are excited, life could not be any better.
It all seems too swell for this tragic couple, when suddenly Frank is offered
a promotion at his redundant job with a higher paying position, heavier
responsibilities, and more importantly a chance to be apart of something
great, the computer. Frank refuses this handsome offer from his boss at
first because it interferes with their big trip to Paris. On the other hand,
Frank cannot resist the temptation and is drawn to stay at this job because
of the attachment he has regarding his father. We learn that Franks father
has also worked at Knoxx Business Machines for 30 years. It suggests as
though Frank has a yearning desire to fulfill this empty legacy. On a
different note, it strongly expresses Franks inability to change and triumph
over his trepidation. This couple struggles to achieve any sort of
compromise as their lays a serious conflict of interest regarding their
futures. April wants a lifestyle change in Paris; meanwhile, Frank is
satisfied working in a miserable occupation with a higher salary. This
relationship portrays that conflict of interest incessantly; it also shows how
it affects their lifestyle and how they grapple with the consequences. It is
not pleasant I rest assure you. (Youll see what I mean)
The bigger picture here is the heavy social commentary implemented in
this film at almost every other scene. It reflects and exposes the culture of
the 1950s, the struggles of an unhappy relationship, and the fine line
between insanity and simply pure genius. It also sheds light upon
questions such as what is insanity and what is mean to be medically and
mentally unstable? The reality is that the real estate agents son who is
mentally unstable by society is the only one that possesses a real
intellectual and realistic perception on the wheelers relationship.(Go figure)
The Wheelers relationship and decisions are constantly being influenced
by other people and we see this through Franks work environment, the
neighbors, and the real estate agent. April is victimized as a prisoner of
culture and her difficulty of coping with the dynamics of the r ole of a wife
during the 1950s. Some might question her role in the film and ask, well,
why doesnt she just get a divorce, or leave Frank? It just wasnt that simple
during that time period as it was considered taboo or dishonorable to leave
or separate from your husband. April wishes she could leave the house but
is drawn back to it like a magnet because she has two children, a husband,
and could not possibly earn a lucrative living in those days considering the
job opportunities available at that time peri od. In that regard, April is
prisoner of the house, living in an inescapable environment. She is a
prisoner living in a prison within a prison. Frank is a mere coward that
cannot confront the social obstacles of change. Like April, Frank too, is a
prisoner as well. Hence, my conclusion, a couple that was never meant to
be.
Personally, I enjoyed this film not because of the setting, or from the great
performances, but the realism that is portrayed here in this relationship. It
is quite unique in the sense that the film does not sugar coat anything. Not
to be too clichéd or anything but it echoes the expression it is what it is. In
that regard it may turn some people off. I happen to cherish and embraced
this message. If you like this film, check out A Dolls House with Anthony
Hopkins. Both are excellent but sad films. They express a similar struggle
of a couple resisting to conform to society.
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