Review of Revolutionary Road (2008) by Danielw. — 25 Jan 2009
A predictable disappointment , if such a thing is possible. First, what must have seemed like shocking material in the '50s (adultery! abortion! -- all lurking just below the surface of affluent post-war suburbia) is ho-hum today.
Second, Mendes is just too enamored with surfaces -- the movie should win costume and art direction Oscars -- to get at seem underbellies. As far as the performances go, you have to admire the chutzpah of casting the protagonists of one of the most iconic screen romances in cinematic history in these roles.
But precisely because they have to overcome our expectations generated by Titanic, the performances call attention to themselves -- they are most definitely crafted -- in a way that I found distracting.
Michael Shannon as the "village crazy who speaks the truth" has a pair of great scenes, but all said maybe Oscar got it right in largely ignoring this one.
This review of Revolutionary Road (2008) was written by Danielw. on 25 January 2009.
Revolutionary Road has generally received positive reviews.
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