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How do you break free
without breaking apart?
Sam Mendes directs this cinematic adaptation
of the literary classic in ways that rival
"American Beauty", "Eyes Wide Shut" and
"Little Children" in regards to breaking
down that inevitable moment in life when one
stares across the dinner table and wonders,
"Is this it?"
Life can become
stale... routine... downright dull.
Some would argue that the institution of
marriage facilitates those feelings.
Those who would disagree with that sentiment
have obviously not been married long enough.
It is how couples deal with the mundane
aspects of life that determines the success
of the relationship. Can you be bored
with one another and still be happy?
It is easier said than done.
"Revolutionary Road"
is precise with it's piercing script --
dissecting the marriage of Frank and April
Wheeler after they have settled into life's
routine during the mid fifties. Frank
trudges off to a pointless job every day,
floating along in the sea of gray suits and
hats just like everyone else. April
hears the cell door close as he leaves for
work each morning, sentenced to a life of
cleaning house, chasing kids and exchanging
empty pleasantries with the neighbors.
Neither of them is
happy with the routine and, consequently,
they take it out on each other. The
fights are common and ballistic... but they
make-up and continue on living, just like
the rest of humanity. It is a pattern
we can all identify with.
One day, they hatch
a plan to escape the humdrum haze that has
descended upon their lives -- and
"Revolutionary Road" studies intently as
they navigate the idyllic dreams of their
fantasies and the heavy burdens of their
realities. It is a relentless film
that skewers the underlying hopes we all
have of more interesting, exciting and
original lives.
The performances
from Kate and Leo are as fabulous as you'd
imagine -- the familiarity of the most
famous on-screen couple of all time
definitely helps us believe in the validity
of this marriage. Both characters are
complex and flawed, intriguing and
passionate. Both of them desperately
want their lives to work... but it just may
be an impossible task.
This is clearly one
of the better films of 2008. Kate and
Leo both deserve Oscar consideration.
No other film this year will force you into
more intense self-examination than this one.
"Revolutionary Road" is a must see
exploration of the human soul's futile
desire to be more than it really is or ever
will become.
©
Written by TC Candler
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