Review of Revolutionary Road (2008) by Jose R — 20 May 2016

This won raves from the critics, and who are we to argue with the critics? One might think there had never been a move made about a marriage falling apart before this one. Excellent performances by all do not necessarily add up to a great movie.

This is depressing and predictable right down to the unsatisfying non-ending. This viewer was raised in the upscale suburbs of the 1950's, and doesn't recall such overwrought, passionately unhappy characters as this dreary husband and wife.

The 50's were a quiet, sweet time. We've all heard there was suburban angst brewing beneath the surface, but few upscale ladies self-aborted. And who knew it was so easy? Leonardo gives a brilliant, subtle, warm performance.

We didn't know he had it in him. Kate is stuck in a thankless role as a shallow, selfish,woman who doesn't know how good she has it,.She is the self-pitying sort who weeps while doing dishes. There is not a shred of humor or charm in this dark film.

It's framed by Kathy Bates as a gossipy real estate dealer who tells the tale, an odd device with no payoff. Her mentally ill son is invited into the chaos as a sort of idiot savant who speaks the unspeakable truth.

Didn't we all have neighbors like that?