Mendes, Leo and Kate provide 1950's angst, and a bit more

"Revolutionary Road"
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon
***/****

Not many directors can dramatize suburban angst better than Sam Mendes. A director of darker themed films, Mendes' 4th film is "Revolutionary Road." This domestic drama re-unites Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet for the first time since "Titanic."

The film, based off of the cult novel by Richard Yates takes place in the mid 1950's. It tells of two young dreamers, Frank and April. When they both meet at the start of the film they are instantly attracted to each other. Frank speaks of returning to Paris as soon as possible, "People are alive there, not like here," he says. April is immediately drawn to his desire and ambition. April of course is a struggling actor, who has just starred in a badly reviewed local play as we see that she eventually married Frank.

They have two kids and a nice suburban home with red shutters. Frank commutes to work via train everyday with his gray suited, cigarette smoking co-workers, while April attends to the home like a nice and proper stay at home mom. They have everything and nothing. The film transports us right into their struggling marriage, they aren't happy anymore; all of their young dreams have vanished into this air as life as taken ahold of them.

Frank is the guy you would see in a 1950's magazine or newspaper, his styled hair, the proper suits, and the occasional affair with a new trainee just after martini's at Frank's place of choosing.

April craves and wants more, she figures she can convince Frank to move them to Paris, once and for all. A new life will be waiting; April can work, and Frank can pursue dreams other than being a 9-5 office worker. Paris is a dream, a symbol of fresh beginnings that Frank and April hope can save their marriage. When several things get in the way of that dream, the Wheelers crumble from the inside out, making for some heavy dramatic scenes played out in this haunting yet beautiful suburb.

Some fine supporting performances are turned in by Kathy Bates, who plays a realtor who one days brings her mentally unstable son to visit Frank and Wheeler; the son played by Michael Shannon breathes some comic relief and truth to the story. He sees right through the Wheelers, and pegs them for who they are, two people who want to play "house."

Mendes does a fantastic job with the mood and setting of the film. His shot selection is revealing, devastating, and true. He has yet to make a bad film, this being his 4th. His wife Kate Winslet has already won The Golden Globe, and could easily win the Oscar for her brutally honest depiction of a fractured female with no escape from unhappiness.

"Revolutionary Road" is certainly bleak in tone, but if your a fan of "Mad Men," the novel by Yates, or Kate and Leo, this film will appeal to you.