Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution

Over a decade has passed since that film about a sinking boat swept the world OVER and OVER and OVER (and over and over again...and...you get the picture).

Since those most dizzying times, the starlets who graced that film have gone on to acheive critical acclaim on their ascent to the A-List (BILLY ZANE I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU!!). Amazingly, Revolutionary Road is the first time 'Our Kate(TM)' and Leonardo Di Caprio have shared a scene together since 1997.

Revolutionary Road, adapted from the Richard Yates novel of the same name, tells the tale of Frank and April Wheeler (DiCaprio and Winslet) and their entrapment in suburban dystopia in post-war America. Frozen socially (and spiritually!), the couple set up to move to Paris with their two children. However, unplanned events pullulate awkwardly creating the rumblings which precede an EMOTIONAL AVALANCHE.

Without giving too much away, the film succeeds as a good adaptation of a classic work. Admittedly the screenplay lacks the boldness or depth of characterization developed in the novel but it still delivers a gut punch mainly due to the strong performances of the ensemble cast. Kate Winslet is terrific as April Wheeler. Open and stubborn, loving yet aggressive. Ultimately its the fragility of the woman she is portraying that gives the performance that extra dimension. It was a toss up as to which performance she would be nominated for come Oscar night. I actually prefer this performance to The Reader (I guess Ricky Gervais was depressingly right. NAZIS! WINSLET! HOLOCAUST! WEINSTEIN! OSCAR! OSCAR! OSCAR!).
Thankfully, Michael Shannon's scene stealing performance was recognised in the supporting actor category.

Finally I must insessantly clamor for recognition of the work done by Roger Deakins, cinematographer of classics such as No Country For Old Men, Fargo and Shawshank Redemption. His work is what elevates the film into much more than the sum of its individual performances.

Grade: B (7/10)

Revolutionary Road (Dir. Sam Mendes) is released on Friday 30th January.