There is a scene early in Revolutionary Road that works only in retrospect. Frank (Dicaprio) and April (Winslet) have an emotional argument by the side of the highway. It was difficult to assess the merits of the argument since we do not know the couple yet. I was uncomfortable watching them, for the acting seemed mannered and the outrage manufactured. I was worried that I was in for a "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf" tug of war. I need not have worried.
I enjoyed this film. Not because it breaks any new ground, but because it is so well presented, especially the acting. Kate Winslet is riveting. Her quiet intensity throughout the movie provides the prism to understand her disillusionment.
I kept thinking of Joseph Heller's novel -- Something Happened. The themes are similar to Revolutionary Road. It is this familiarity that requires that the movie be well executed to be successful, and it is.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment