Cognito Ergo Scribo

I have to admit beforehand that this particular movie put me in quite a dilemma. While attempting the review, I realised I am not sure what to talk about. Should I start with the obvious and applaud the incredible acting talent of Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet. Should I say how glad I was to see Sam Mendes come back to suburban life and offer such a wonderful movie, yet again (The first being American Beauty). May be I should dwell upon the impressive supporting cast and the fact that all of those characters acquire a depth through the movie.

It was quite a debate. Making it simple, let’s start by talking about the movie.

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is an incredible movie that successfully depresses you and You don’t even complain. First there were the people. Frank and April. Then there is the world they will have to live in. Revolutionary road tells the doomed love story of these individuals. Frank and April start of as people madly in love with each other and their dreams. Eventually, we notice that Frank turns out to be the guy would rather be un heroic and conform than try, even if it means failing. April turns out to be desperately wanting to have a dream fulfilled, his dream. The story moves on hurtfully as each of them long for the other to become a person they can love and respect. That is the irony; both of them lack the courage to be strong for the other. It is very distressing to see their love disintegrate into lies, shame, disgust and hate.

This movie would have been ordinary if not for the excellent screenplay to begin with. It so carefully exposes the trails of the leads roles to make things right and their inevitable failures at each turn. It show cases how grueling it can be to want more with your life, when you cannot be happy for what you have. The signature moment of the movie comes mid way, when each of them express opposite views of courage – is it courage to conform and give up a dream OR is it courage to trade the secure life for a try at the dream?

I personally believe Kate Winslet gives an amazing performance as April, who tries to be that woman but can never be. Leonardo is captivating as the conformist, coward at times, pitiful at others. That is a theme of the movie, we seem to love and hate them equally. This movie has so many splendid shots that it actually pains me to realize how movies off late have lacked it!! Many a lengthy sequences compose of straight forward dialogues between the leads, that’s truly captivating in its inherent lack of pretence. Then there are those additional perks for us in form of the “insane” John, who seems to say the truth that shreds their comfortable lies; in form of the little group of male friends that reflect the comfortable society Frank chose; in form of the gossip talked about the Wheelers.

Needless to say, It is a must watch but this is not a movie for everyone. Its tells an tragic story and unlike the book, you can’t take a break in between.

Trivia:

Kate Winslet is married to the director Sam Mendes.

Kate won a golden globe for the film this year.

Sam Mendes is also the director of another film that showcases the ugly side of the great American dream – Kevin Spacey starrer American Beauty

OST

The whole album is available online on www.deezer.com. Its under Revolutionary road and the quality is great. Will update download links soon

About the Scenes: (And inevitably a ghastly -SPOILER ALERT)

• The final window shot of Kate from behind is truly haunting, leaves an imprint
  

• I read a review that raised an excellent persepctive, the whole movie we never see much of the Road just to show how cluastrophobic and self contained the setting is
• The sequence in the middle of the movie, where they finally reveal everything and Franks’ true smooth talking nature rises is truly brilliant. The shot where Frank suggests for “help” and Kate’s expression are truly amazing. It seem to encapsulate the theme of both characters precisely. That moment signifies the futility of their lives and the audience bleak hope for a happy ending
• The first confrontation scene on Route -12 is the first peek into the chaos of the Miller’s lives. The ending confrontation brings it full circle. The way April tries to escape is moved a step forward towards the ending to show how far things have proceeded for her. From initially refusing to discuss to finally imploring Frank to let her have the her space ,even if its in the woods -show how far things have proceeded for April since the beginning of the movie.
• Frank has the habit of trying to rationalize his lack of initiative, all through the movie we see him convince himself that it was never his fault and out of his hands. Its also easy to notice how Frank would rather take the easy route than confront truth. This is portrayed brilliantly with the conversations about April’s pregnancy, the beach scene where he lets the job offer be known. Just as April’s disintegration is brought about, Frank’s is shown with the final shot in the hospital where he tries to say its April’s fault.Brilliant development
• Though i liked the shot of Frank running through the Revolutionary Road , I did wish the movie didn’t end there. That would be a easy way to end, but since the movie never absolves the characters even for a bit, such an consoling end would not be with the theme of cruel reality that the film carried.Thanks to Mended for adding the final shots to show how ordinary Wheelers have become, no revolution their my friend

I would have to conclude noting how even the name is a cruel joke,like the rest – “Revolutionary” road