Revolutionary Road (2008)

Director:

Sam Mendes

Writers (WGA):

Justin Haythe (screenplay)
Richard Yates (novel)

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

Plot Keywords:

Suburb | Connecticut | Children | Work | New York City

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Frank Wheeler
Kate Winslet	...	April Wheeler
Michael Shannon	...	John Givings
Ryan Simpkins	...	Jennifer Wheeler
Ty Simpkins	...	Michael Wheeler
Kathy Bates	...	Mrs. Helen Givings
Richard Easton	...	Mr. Howard Givings
Sam Rosen	...	Party Guest #7
Maria Rusolo	...	Party Dancer #1
Gena Oppenheim	...	Party Dancer #2
Kathryn Dunn	...	Party Dancer #3
Joe Komara	...	Party Dancer #4
Allison Twyford	...	Party Dancer #5
David Harbour	...	Shep Campbell
John Ottavino	...	Other Actor in the Play #1

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity.

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44282) | UK:15 | Netherlands:12 | South Africa:13LS | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-11 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Norway:11 | Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:18 | Brazil:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Sweden:7 | Spain:13 | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Singapore:M18 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Australia:M | Mexico:B15 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Beacon Falls, Connecticut, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The song that was audible throughout the main trailer was "Wild Is the Wind," written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington and performed by Nina Simone. The song did not appear in the actual movie at least in part because it was not released until 1957 (two years after the main setting year of this film). Johnny Mathis was the first singer to record it (for the movie Wild Is the Wind (1957)) and it was nominated for a Best Song Oscar. Nina Simone's recording was made in 1966.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the Wheelers tell the Campbells they are moving Milly goes to reach for a melon ball, as the shot changes she reaches for the same melon ball again.

Quotes:

April Wheeler: Won't you miss the city?
Frank Wheeler: Nothing's permanent, right?
April Wheeler: Right.

Movie Connections:

Features "Howdy Doody" (1954)

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday

Another matchup, another great movie

I just saw an advanced screening of this movie at the DGA theater by Carnegie Hall. Ever since I heard that DiCaprio and Winslet were teaming up again, I had to go see it. After waiting a half an hour outside of the theater in the freezing weather, I was thinking to myself, "this movie better be good".

I was not the slightest bit disappointed, and I was extremely happy walking out of that theater. If there is one person I must applaud, it's the casting director, because every person in that movie really got into character, and not one person was out of line. DiCaprio and Winslet's chemistry was once again flawless, I honestly felt like I was watching a 50's suburban couple fighting about normal, every day problems, no scripts. All of the supporting cast was superb, especially Kathy Bates and Michael Shannon, who should both be very tough contenders to beat for the best actress and best supporting actor Oscars, respectively.

Thank you, Sam Mendes, for giving the American people another great drama to watch, that really gave people a dose of what the "perfect 50's suburban life", was really like.