Thursday, February 05, 2009

Revolutionary Road









Here's a film that ought to inspire adults to either 1) do something wildly existential, like a geographic move, or 2) consider suicide. Depends on your makeup, I guess. (I tilt in the life-affirming direction -- we're already mortal, so might as well go for something more interesting, whenever and wherever possible).

Based on the 1961 novel by Richard Yates, the Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead) version of Revolutionary Road stars Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Shannon (Bug) and Kathy Bates, with a solid supporting cast, too.



















I'm sure the series Mad Men gets some of its inspiration from Richard Yates. If you like one, you'll probably like the other.



Michael Shannon is superb in Revolutionary Road as John Givings. He's edgy and even kind of scary; his character provides key insights into the human condition, rendered perfectly by Shannon.

If you want to be challenged, even shaken up, Revolutionary Road is a surely provocative book and movie for you. Compare with Sue Kaufman's Diary of a Mad Housewife and other novels/movies of the 1950s through 1970s. And good luck out there, every day!

Today's Rune: Growth.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hopeless emptiness. Now you've said it. Plenty of people are onto the emptiness, but it takes real guts to see the hopelessness. -John Givings.

the walking man said...

Brother, you do see a lot of movies when they're in the theater, don't you?

Charles Gramlich said...

I enjoyed the episodes of Mad Men that I saw, but by the time I started watching them they stopped showing them. I guess they'll be back.

Enemy of the Republic said...

I've been very afraid of this movie, and have turned down infinite chances to go. Maybe it is because my marriage has gone through so much--why pay for it when you live it? But I have heard good things about it.

Rune for today: Stagnation.

nunya said...

I'd like to see it, but thanks to your heads up, I'll be sure that I'm i na pretty good mood before I do.

Thanks for that.

Lana Gramlich said...

The previews for that movie make it seem far to banal for my liking, but I'll think about it (once it comes to satellite.)

Erik Donald France said...

Thanks all, for the comments! The best approach to life is to treat every day as a blessing, make it worthwhile for you and for everyone around you. Live well when you can.

Mark, I'm aiming to see a couple movies or more per month on the big screen.

EofR, be strong ;-> And Nunya, exactly.

Lana, the coming attractions sugar coat the movie. It's worth seeing (and the book is worth reading).