Tragic love story from American Beauty director Sam Mendes.

Rating: 9/10 (16 November 2009)

Revolutionary Road is a tragic love story about two people who cant quite find a way to make things work.The film,which is adapted from a novel has so many layers of meaning yet is in its own essence,a very simple and straightforward story.Set against a 1950's backdrop and directed by Sam Mendes,Revolutionary Road is a deeply involving drama which re-unites Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Both stars deliver excellent performances truly bringing fully to life the characters and their contrasting plights. The suburban setting and score by Thomas Newman inevitably remind of Mendes' earlier film American Beauty.A similar kind of tragedy is explored here, as was explored in American Beauty.Mendes seems interested in peoples relationships and the painful dysfunctionality that can arise when two forces aren't pulling in the same direction within the confines of a family unit. Its great material and Mendes delivers a fine film,aided by a committed cast and some great on location camera work and production design.It doesn't indulge comedy like American Beauty but its more than a match in the dramatic stakes. 9/10