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Aug 19, 2009 Web Exclusive By Nick Hyman

Making movies is a business. Summer movies appeal to the thrill-seekers in us and make a ton of money during the hot months as moviegoers flock to air conditioned theatres to escape from reality. The fall and winter months bring us big stars and big drama, and even though some of these films are amazing, others are laborious and pointless, and it seems like their primary reason to be made is to garner sympathetic critic approval, award attention, and dollars—in a word, Oscar bait. Revolutionary Road is this kind of movie.

Revolutionary Road is an adaptation of Richard Yates’ novel about a couple failing at marriage/life in 1950s suburbia, but the film contains little of the liveliness that relieves the story’s tragic narrative. The film has impeccable production values, but as the end credits roll, you have to wonder why anyone would want to film such a miserable story. Leonardo DiCaprio (who is still a little bit hard to believe as a man) and Kate Winslet give admirable performances, but their characters are so unlikable and the film is mired in an all too serious funk. Director Sam Mendes’ films usually tend to be super serious, but this film takes things too far. The novel took place largely in the character’s heads, and translating these inner thoughts proves to be problematic. There’s a reason supporting acting nominee Michael Shannon’s role as an unguarded stranger who expounds hidden truths to the denizens of suburbia got so much attention—he’s the only one here who feels truly alive

The DVD includes a commentary track including Mendes and adapter Justin Haythe, a 30-minute making-of, and a few deleted scenes.

(www.paramount.com/homeentertainment)

Author rating: 3/10