“Revolutionary Road” Deserves a Second Viewing

The triumph of “Slumdog Millionaire” at the movie awards ceremonies this year was well deserved, but it had the effect of denying other worthy films their day in the sun. One such is “Revolutionary Road.” Nominated for several awards, it got not a single Oscar and just one Golden Globe (Kate Winslet, Best Actress). However in a year with more typical competition, the film would have earned more accolades.

The movie is adapted from Richard Yates' first novel by the same name. It was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1962. Along with Catch-22, it lost out to The Moviegoer by Walker Percy. All three books, questioned the “corporatization” of America and the resulting alienation of Americans from their society. Herein lies the first plank in the movie's platform of brilliance – exceptional writing about serious subjects.

The next plank is the cast. Leonardo DiCaprio (Frank Wheeler), Kate Winslet (April Wheeler) and Kathy Bates (Helen Givings) are among the best actors working today. Michael Shannon, who plays John the mentally ill son of Helen Givings, said that he didn't feel there were any stars on the set but “a group of people united by a passion for the material and wanting to honor the book.” In other words, an ensemble existed.

A third plank is the perfect way in which director Sam Mendes captured the New York City area in 1955. The men in their hats waiting for the train to take them to their offices is one of the best shots in any movie. And the film reminded the world that there was a time before yuppies came along when one could drink martinis at lunch time and smoke in the office. It won't be thought of as a period piece the way an adaptation of Jane Austen is, nevertheless “Revolutionary Road” is truly a period piece.

The year 2008 was an exceptional one for grown-up movies. This journal gave a rave review to “Slumdog Millionaire,” and one is gratified that the Academy agreed. Unfortunately in competitions, there are winners and losers. In the arts, there are only successes and failures. From “The Changeling” and “Doubt” to “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” the year had some glorious successes.

© Copyright 2009 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

Kensington Review Home