In this thought-provoking film about the co-dependency of marriage, Revolutionary Road examines some very critical issues of marriage such as the conflict between our duties and desires, the dream of a suburban family life, the sudden drift apart between husband and wife post-marriage, the dreams a couple aspires to have upon the start of their marriage, their professional goals, infidelity and abortion.
The romantic-drama film that was directed by Sam Mendes (British film and stage director, producer, and screenwriter) and Justin Haythe (American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter) the film is based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates ( American fiction writer).
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio (Frank Wheeler) and Kate Winslet (April Wheeler) in the lead along with other actors and actresses such as Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, and Kathy Bates in supporting roles.
Set in the mid-1950s, the film traces how the Wheelers struggle to find a balance between their personal issues as well as adjusting to an ideal family life. While Frank hopes to be a cashier and April aspires to be an actress, life interrupts their plans where Frank secures a sales position with Knox Machines and April a suburban housewife.
Intertwined with the friendships that they have with their realtor Helen Givings and her husband Howard Givings; neighbour Milly Campbell and her husband Shep the Wheeler are pushed in tandem of emotions with their friends.
As if this plot is not enough, April’s plans to move to Paris so that Frank can pursue the dream life that he always wanted is shattered by an unexpected pregnancy and Frank’s promotion, promising a far higher salary.
A movie which has already won many awards for its excellent storyline and acting has the duo Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio starring together after the Titanic along with co-star Kathy Bates.
Some of the most important topics touched upon in this film include the illusion of happiness, gender roles and conformity, the trapping of suburban life, and the destructive power of unspoken truths.
As quoted from the movie itself, “The hopeless emptiness of [their] lives stared back at them from the other side of the glass” and “No one forgets the truth; they just get better at lying.”
Is an unhappy marriage the onset of fatality?
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Amazing read