By Lloyd Bayer
How do you dissect a seemingly perfect relationship? How thin is the line between love and hate? Danny DeVito attempted an answer to these questions in The War of the Roses. So did Roman Polanski in the controversial Bitter Moon. Director Sam Mendes not only answers these questions but goes on to prove that every relationship feeds expectations, but the real question is how much are you willing to compromise to keep those ever so minute cracks from growing on that all too perfect wedding portrait.
|
|
|
Kate Winslet as April Wheeler and Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Wheeler
All images copyright © 2008 Paramount Vantage
|
|
|
Hypothetically speaking, what if a couple of young lovers where to survive a massive ship wreck over the icy Atlantic, get married, and settle down in middle class suburbia. What would their marriage seem like somewhere around the dreaded seven year itch? With absolutely no reference to the Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are cast together again, this time as Frank and April Wheeler, a perfect couple in the eyes of friends and neighbors. Frank is an average nine to fiver at a city office and April is a homemaker aspiring to be an actress. While the possibility of living the American dream seem far out of reach, the Wheeler’s plan on moving to Paris for what would hopefully be a much better life. April would find a good job to support the family while Frank would reflect on his true calling. Though a simple plan, negative vibes soon start to tear the very fabric of their relationship. Some of these include disapproving and jealous neighbors, severely bruised egos and even the slight case of infidelity. To make matters worse, April conceives for the third time, throwing the metaphorical spanner into the works, turning what was once love and adoration in utter loathing.
A power house performance by the two leads would be an understatement, given this film was nominated for three Oscars amongst other nominations and awards. Add to that an ensemble lineup of supporting roles from Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, Michael Shannon and even Kathy Bates (also starred in the Titanic).Film noir fans will welcome this remarkable movie from Sam Mendes, especially after his dark tale of a dysfunctional family in American Beauty.
Couples watching this movie will find it hard to take sides. Both Frank and April are characters that could be any John and Mary. Adapted from Richard Yates’ novel of the same name, costumes, sound track and cinematography are flawlessly integrated into a script that paints a stark reality of what life leading up to the golden years was all about.
Lloyd Bayer
Comments
Frank Says:
April 15, 2009 at 11:38
More Revolutionary Road quotes:
"Ma, how about doing everybody a favor? How about shutting up? "
"If all he does is break the coffee table and give her a certain amount of aggravation and she decides to go to court over it, that's a civil case..."
"I'm gonna chum the water with your head!"
"Look at us. We're just like everyone else. We've bought into the same, ridiculous delusion. "
|
