Thursday, March 12, 2009

A MELANCHOLIC REUNION

free glitter text and family website at FamilyLobby.com revolutionaryroad_galleryposter

Finally, the award-winning “road” has arrived our shores. I've been waiting for Revolutionary Road since last year. This is the reunion of Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet for James' sake. The film must be released in the Philippines. Now it's here. Thanks to Ayala Cinema. It's amazing that the chemistry of Jack & Rose is still steaming. Being a fan of Titanic, I think I missed them so much.
photo_01_hires
The year is 1955, Frank and April Wheeler, a fine-looking couple with two children who live in a beautiful suburban home in Revolutionary Road, are quiet unhappy. Frank is working for a Manhattan computer company; April was once a stage actress who abandoned these ambitions to be a wife and mother. After a grotty tiff, they hit on an breathtaking clandestine plan; they will move to Paris where April will get a moneymaking secretarial job and maintain Frank while he figures out what he really wants to do with his life. April knows that Paris is a place that Frank loves all these years. The plan seems to doing good but some things can change along the way. It may hurt them badly.

photo_03_hires
The story is based on the novel by Ricard Yates. I have no idea about it. Anyway, the story is lovely. I love it. It's about the struggle of this young American couple. You will see the pain in their words every time they have a fight. Unfortunately, you won't love their characters. But you can feel the melancholy in the movie. If Titanic left us with a brokenhearted ending, Revolutionary Road sort of replicates the same conclusion. No wonder they did not nominate this for Best Picture because it's very depressing and disturbing. The film is also not for everyone, unfortunately.

photo_04_hires
Technically, Sam Mendes is still a creative auteur. It is just eldritch to know that he is also directing his wife Kate Winslet. Kate has some love scenes with other actors and it bugged me for a while. He first directed the award-winning “American Beauty” and followed it with “The Road to Perdition”. I missed his 3rd project called “Jarhead”. I'm planning to rent the DVD soon. I think his next film will be called American Perdition” or “Jar Beauty”. Just kidding! Revolutionary Road's production design is really breathtaking and the Oscar nomination is just right. The costume design for the 1950's is also exquisite.

photo_02_hires
The main attraction actually in the film is Leo & Kate. They both show their vibrating performances to date. Kate is amazing in “The Reader” that's why she won as Oscar's Best Actress but her acting in this film is also stunning. I love her as April Wheeler than the naked Hannah. She could've won here too. Yeah, in the Golden Globes and she was even shocked. But I feel sad for Leo. Why did they shun him for Best Actor? Oh my God, this is Leo's most challenging role since “The Aviator”. Look at him during their dustup. Wow!!!! Without them the film is a failure. Kathy Bates also has a supporting role in the film. Hey, she is also a cast in “Titanic”. What a sad reunion! Michael Shannon who plays the mental son of Bates is dramatic as well but I don't know him at all.

I watched Titanic like a million times already. I don't know if I can watch Revolutionary Road again. I am still recommending this film because it's really worth watching, Thanks to the splendid duo of Leo and Kate. My only advice is to watch a romantic-comedy film after watching this to ease some sadness in your heart caused by the film. How about watching Titanic again??? Hmmm....

free glitter text and family website at FamilyLobby.com

No comments: