Surreal

Rating: 10/10 (31 January 2014)

Revolutionary Road depicts the story of a 1950's married couple who, by all appearances are the ideal couple. However there are underlying problems in the relationship. Intriguing are the routine lives they all lived, in a Stepford Wives sort of way; like when Frank Wheeler's waiting for the train with what looks like 100's of his clones. His wife April is the typical 50's housewife. She reminisces of the time she and Frank met and how much she loved him and how she wanted that back. At this point things are so routine she desires a change or to feel alive again. Frank sleeps with a secretary in an attempt to also feel alive. April tries to liven things up by suggesting that they move to France; Frank once told her how people are more lively there. She talks about working and while Frank studies. They tell their friends about their plans, but they don't understand why they would want to move. Oddly enough the only one who is supportive, is John Givings (son of Helen, the Realtor who sold the Wheeler's their home), who was released from a mental hospital. While packing, April tells Frank she's ten weeks pregnant and that she has two more weeks to take care of it. Shortly thereafter he sees an apparatus used for abortions in their bathroom closet and confronts her about it. She advises him it's the best thing they could do with the trip nearing and for saving money, but he's against it. Frank is then offered a promotion but turns it down then later accepts it causing things to unravel. April realizes she is stuck in this fast track to nowhere and ends up sleeping with the neighbor Shep Campbell. Her and Frank fight and she tells him she hates him, he confesses about the other woman, but April is numb she doesn't care; she doesn't confess about Shep. Frank cannot believe his wife isn't happy with all they have and say the whole France thing was a childish idea to begin with. The argument escalates and he tells her he wishes she had gotten an abortion. She's devastated and runs into the woods with Frank following, but she wants to be alone to think. He drinks himself to sleep and when he awakens, she's cooking breakfast, looking as lovely as ever and being very pleasant, Frank is taken back by this, but is very pleased. She asks about his work and he smiles. You can see by his expression that he's so happy that she's interested in his work and illustrates, on a napkin, how a this particular piece of equipment works. When she says she's not sure she sees what he means, he looks disappointed, but perks back up when she says she does in fact see. She boosts his ego even more by telling him he should keep doing what he's doing because he's "obviously good at it". Before he leaves, he tells her how pleasant their breakfast was and asks if she hates him; she tells him no and assures him she still loves him. As he walks toward his car, she stands, loyally, on the doorstep watching him; he turns, smiles and waves. She waves back and watches him leave. Upon returning to clean the dishes, she bursts into tears. It's as if she knows she can no longer pretend to be someone she is not and continue this charade. She calls a friend and asks if they could bring the children back in the evening. Then April goes upstairs and pulls the abortion apparatus out of her vanity drawer. She removes her shoes and skit and closes the bathroom door. We then see her descend the stairs, barefooted, take each step carefully. She walks to the living room window and stares out at the sunny day as if things seem clearer to her; then you see the blood dripping on the carpet. The camera widens and you see her blood stained skirt and then hear her on the phone asking for help. The next scene we see Shep show up at the hospital and Frank is already there; he is crying and distressed. He tells Shep what the Dr.'s have told him and then says "she did this to herself"; meaning she hurt herself. Shep goes to get coffee but just cries to himself before returning with the coffee, but when he does, Frank is coming out of the OR with a look of shock; April died. Of course everyone on Revolutionary Road goes on with life as usual. The Wheeler's are mentioned from time to time, but no one really wants to talk about them. Ironically, Frank moved to the city with his children and found another job. When April was alive he wasn't going to leave and tried to convince her that their life was wonderful, but after the tragedy, that all changed and he ended up leaving anyway. This made me think of all the couples who were and probably still live this way. As dismal as this film is, it really makes you think about one's own life and whether it's truly fulfilling or just an emotionless routine. I highly recommend it as it flows nicely without boredom and the setting really takes you back in time. I especially loved the clothing; it was a time when men and women took pride in their appearance and always looked their best. There's just a few cuss words, but that's it, even the sex scenes are done tastefully. The acting was phenomenal; particularly Kate Winslet's. I loved Michael Shannon's role as John, Leonardo DiCaprio's role wasn't as intriguing, but that doesn't take away from his performance; he's great in all he does.