Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet play Frank and April Wheeler, a pair of young dreamers living in 1960, who meet, get married and have kids. After a blowout argument following April’s debut as an actress, she proposes that they sell their home, leave their mundane life behind and move to Paris. Frank visited Paris during WWII and always wanted to return for another visit: "People realy live there, not like here".
Frank eventually agrees and the move is set in motion. But life intrudes- Frank is offered a promotion at work and then the bombshell of bombshells- April's pregnant and the move, their lives, everything, spirals quickly out of control.
"Revolutionary Road" is well-acted, well-written and well-paced. It's also presents a beautiful, meticulously created suburban world of 1960 America. The huge arguments the Wheeler's have feel true and cutting even in our 21st century world.
Yet, the film is not without its problems. Here's the big one- there's not one shaft of light, of hope, in the whole thing. It is an exceptionally dark and nihilistic drama. And it's enough to make me write a commentary on American life.
So, I'll wrap up the review quickly so I can get to the commentary.
Rating
Character: 31 kate and leo in top form
Plot: 22 really needed something hopeful
Presentation : 30 suburbian 1960 eye candy
