Tortured suburbia: Revolutionary Road

Well made, thought provoking film. I’ve heard it called screechy, but that isn’t quite fair; a lot of arguing goes on but there are light hearted and quiet moments. Set in 1955, it’s the story of April and Frank Wheeler (played by Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio), a young couple at a tipping point. They live on Revolutionary Road, ironically named since the only thing that rebels in this quiet New York suburb is the recalcitrant grass at the end of April’s driveway. (The local real estate agent helpfully brings her some nice ground cover to fill in that stubborn spot.) April longs for something more than her predictable existence; Frank is also restless, but he seems to enjoy his Don Draper lifestyle: dapper New York businessman by day (with those astonishing martini soaked lunches), steadfast suburban husband by night. Winslet is ferocious in the big dramatic scenes, but her most memorable moments are the subtle ones, when she deliberately wipes her hands on her apron, or leans seductively against a door jamb and waves carelessly at her besotted neighbor. Towards the end of the film she calmly asks DiCaprio if he would like his eggs scrambled, or fried, and you feel a chill up your spine. DiCaprio gives a great performance; so does Kathy Bates as the busybody realtor. And Oscar nominated Michael Shannon is terrific as John Givings, a mentally unstable young man who sees the truth: You want to play house you got to have a job. You want to play nice house, very sweet house, you got to have a job you don't like.