Blu-ray Review: Revolutionary Road

What do you get when you mix the big-screen reunion of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio with Richard Yates first novel? The answer is a powerful and moving narrative, Revolutionary Road, which is new to Blu-ray and DVD today.

Sam Mendes (American Beauty director and Winslet’s husband) directs this gripping adaptation of famed novel of the same name. Penning the screenplay is Justin Haythe, who wrote 2004’s The Clearing.

Set in the 1950s, Frank (DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Winslet) deal with the frustrations of underachievement in their boring and “safe” lives. When the two met, a life full of promise and dreams lay ahead of them and they were anxious to live it together.  Becoming quickly enamored with each other, they quickly tied the knot and moved to little house on Revolutionary Road in Connecticut. What they didn’t know is that the dreams and aspirations they held on to so dearly seemingly exceeded their grasp (and luck). Several years later find themselves married with two kids and living a life of what they consider extreme mediocrity.

In the same vein as American Beauty, the movie unforgettably presents a gloomy and bleak suburbia where everyone seemingly is agonizing in quiet desperation.

The main reason for signing up for this one is to witness the powerful acting of both DiCaprio and Winslet. Don’t expect to see the same magical love story put on by the two in Titanic as this one actually follows a reverse trajectory. Winslet decidely steals the show, although her role clearly puts forth more fodder for us to goggle at (and she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress). I was amazed at how she could signify so many emotions at different parts of the movie, many times without speaking a word at all.

Also adding a great performance is Michael Shannon, who received a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role as John Givings. And it would be hard to forget Kathy Bates, who also rounds out the cast.

The other main attraction is its visual presentation. It is a very handsome film and really does a great job of capturing the period (with some over the top references, Mad Men style). Impressively, the movie was film almost entirely on location and looks and feels authentic to the 1950s.

The Blu-ray release offers an impeccable hi-definition picture and really serves to enhance the beauty of the movie.

Included as bonus features, all of which are presented in high definition :

•    Film Commentary by director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Justin Haythe
•    Lives of Quite Desperation: The Making of Revolutionary Road - Gives some good background on the film, its development, casting and production with interviews with the cast and crew.
•    Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Justin Haythe
•    Richard Yates: The Wages of Truth - An introspective on the life of the novelist, told by people that knew him, including family members and friends. This featurette helps in understanding the Yates’ troubled life.

Despite its depressing story, Revolutionary Road is ironically inspiring, making its viewers ask themselves if they have boldness to step out of conformity. This is a great movie that all should watch.