All ‘Roads’ lead straight to the Oscars…
Adapted from Richard Yates’ timeless classic, “Revolutionary Road” tells the story of Frank and April Wheeler (DiCaprio and Winslet respectively), a coming-of-age couple who move from Manhattan to the Connecticut suburbs hoping to soon realize their dreams as individuals, and as a family with their two children. What begins as a temporary arrangement quickly turns into a heart-breaking crush of reality as the two of them become engrossed by their own ambitions and seem to forget the things that really matter most in a life of happiness; a vision they’ll have to work for if they want their marriage to survive.
A running joke I used to throw out when the issue came up every so often, was the irony of how “Titanic” took home eleven Oscars in 1997; none of which included any gold for either of its lead performers. The joke, however, was that if there had to be a “Best Actor” in that film, my vote went directly to the ship itself. Sure it may have just sailed, hit an iceberg and then sank, but it did all of those things perfectly. And it’s because of the ship that the movie ever became the phenomenon that it is today. Hmm… I wonder who would’ve accepted the award on Titanic’s behalf?
Regardless of whether or not they were wrongfully overlooked in their youth, both DiCaprio and Winslet have once again found excellence in themselves, and in each other. Coming in, I feared that “Road” would accentuate all of their fiery scenes together perfectly, but then forget to focus on Frank and April separately when the time came. But Sam Mendes leaves not a single bit of quality behind in any of his characters. The leading Wheelers are as fully alive and completely real as any other set of performers Mendes has worked with in the past. He even takes the time to bring about his supporting angles from an annoying gossip realtor (Kathy Bates; another “Titanic” alum) and her institutionalized son played by Michael Shannon; who plays the part like a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off on the right mark… in this case, Frank and April; and boy, what a slap in the face that confrontation turns out to be.
To say that Frank and April are fully alive and completely real couldn’t be anymore truthful as with Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening in “American Beauty.” But the important thing to understand about the Wheelers is how multi-layered both of their personalities are as they present themselves to be a classic example of two people who are so perfect for each other because they love to hate each other.
Leonardo DiCaprio has always sparked my enthusiasm with his hesitant, but aggressive emotions, and just as the book emphasizes the character to be, Leo practically embodies Frank Wheeler all the way down to the facial twitch he gives whenever he and April are having one of their “moments.” In those moments, we hear Frank as sharply outspoken, and emotionally lit in his tone. But through his eyes, we can see the broken man he truly is on the inside. And even when he makes an unfortunate decision involving a beautiful secretary at his job, we still challenge ourselves with one dilemma; does he really love his wife and kids? And if so, how much?
Like her troubled husband, April is just as conflicted with her own emotions, and nobody other than Kate Winslet could’ve brought this character out any better. She’s a more sweet and kind-hearted type of soul, even when she doesn’t have to be, and aside from protecting her children, April never abandons her passion for stage acting; hopefully one day in Paris. And while she makes her own share of adulterated choices with a neighbor, we are still challenged by the same dilemma presented in her husband’s case. Only for April, it’s more heart-breaking as she covers all her internal agony with a smile… and not even her “devoted” husband can take the time to see what this beautiful angel is really hiding underneath.
If all of Sam Mendes’ films were acted on stage in front of a crowded auditorium, he would still undoubtedly sell more tickets than he could count, and viewers would be just as mesmerized by the gifted performances that have blessed his work over the years. Even with that notion, Mendes still knows how to properly balance his budget in order to make his settings as real as the people in them, and the ’50s backdrop that embraces “Revolutionary Road” just may be his best run on cinematography and costuming.
If nothing more, Justin Haythe is certain to bring home some gold for his near-perfect adaptation of Richard Yates’ cult classic. I always believe in reading the books before you see the film, and in this case, I still can’t decide which end of the spectrum delivered more power. But what I do know, whether it came more through novelty or film… a part of me has been left behind in both experiences; just as anyone else who has the honor of witnessing this film will be forever touched by its imminent perfection.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Jan 23 2009. Filed under Reviews.
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