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By Nina Lah
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Tuesday, 03 March 2009 |
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The two main actors from one of the greatest movies of all time - Titanic - are acting side by side once again. This movie will definitely not disappoint you.
Based on a Richard Yates’ novel, this movie takes place during the mid-1950s. We meet Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) Wheeler who seem like a perfect couple. However we soon find out that they have many problems beneath the happy exterior. Frank has ended up exactly where his father was before him - working in a boring corporate cubicle which makes him miserable. But his main problem is that he has not yet found what he wants to do in life. On the other hand April knows exactly what her passion is but has exchanged acting for being a housewife, taking care of their two children.
With the short but insightful flashbacks we get to know how the two met, fell in love and eventually bought a house on Revolutionary Road in the Connecticut suburbs. The story shows two people who are desperately trying to make their relationship and life work. One day, after a big fight, April thinks of a way to get out of their miserable lives. She manages to convince Frank that the whole family should move to Paris. The reactions they get from friends are very reserved and not full of approval as they have hoped. The family’s old friend’s son, John Givings (played by Michael Shannon), who has been hospitalized for going insane seems to be the only person who understands their decision.
Michael’s performance won him an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role and I can see why. His brilliant depiction of his character draws you into the dilemma of the movie and makes you wonder if we are all trapped in a mouse cage and willingly staying in it.
This romantic drama made me wonder when the seemingly perfect bubble they lived in would burst. April gets hope when Frank agrees to move to Paris in order to find his passion in life. She finally sees their way out of their ‘hopeless emptiness’, as John puts it. When things get complicated April starts to feel that freedom is slipping through her fingers and Frank’s decision to stay where they are, grounds her back to reality. What no one knows is that she is not ready to give up the chance to be happy and free again. Unable to leave but knowing that staying will eat her up inside, she does the unthinkable and changes the lives of her family forever.
A movie with a soul, heart and emotions conveyed through a story dealing with current issues of human relationships, finding your purpose and your way out of the misery - definitely worth seeing! Five stars out of five.
Directed by Sam Mendes; Starring Kate Winslet, Lenardo DiCaprio, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates and David Harbour.
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