Sam Mendes must be a bit of an odd guy. Don't get me wrong American Beauty is brilliant, Jarhead is great and I'm unbelievably excited for Skyfall but the guy must be a little strange. I say this because he directed "Revolutionary Road" which his (then) wife Kate Winslet is (again) in love with Leo DiCaprio. Can't help but think the sex scene in the kitchen might of been tense. Then again were all professionals here.
Kate and Leo's chemistry hasn't diminished since Titanic, even when arguing they are enjoyable, they light up the screen; even with the dark handling of the subject matter. They are also framed impeccably well by Mendes, however it doesn't feel like his direction entriely contributes to the film - the camera never feels like it's in a wrong position but Revolutionary Road is definitely going to be receiving awards for its cast, sadly Mendes' direction plays second fiddle.
The rest of the cast are also on form, Kathy Bates and Michael Shannon stand out in particular, Shannon's son that has fallen on hard times plays well off both the leads and is scary and likable at the same time. I have high hopes for him as (kneel before) Zod in Zack Synder's Man of Steel.
The soundtrack and the script are both due credit as well, the soundtrack aims to add to the emotion, add to what your seeing and it does this superbly. The script must be applauded for how real Frank and April's arguments feel, how the pair of them are both in the wrong and in the right during their bouts is very real to anyone who's been in a relationship.
In the early period of the film when Frank and April believe they are going to get away the film feels you with such hope that it makes you want to get out and live your life and not slow down (I even started making lists of things I wanted to do) but by the end of the film, after that horrible "oh god" moment you are left completely drained by it. Powerful cinema.
Now this is not to say this film is not without its flaws, the ending is a little bit obvious - I found myself feeling that the ending was the only way to go with this films ending. The script also suffers slightly from having to obey the conventions of its period setting. Finally Mendes has already (superbly) deconstructed suburban life with his (brilliant) Amercian Beauty, which did it slightly better. And did it in a way that doesn't drain you of hope.
4.5
Kate and Leo's chemistry hasn't diminished since Titanic, even when arguing they are enjoyable, they light up the screen; even with the dark handling of the subject matter. They are also framed impeccably well by Mendes, however it doesn't feel like his direction entriely contributes to the film - the camera never feels like it's in a wrong position but Revolutionary Road is definitely going to be receiving awards for its cast, sadly Mendes' direction plays second fiddle.
The rest of the cast are also on form, Kathy Bates and Michael Shannon stand out in particular, Shannon's son that has fallen on hard times plays well off both the leads and is scary and likable at the same time. I have high hopes for him as (kneel before) Zod in Zack Synder's Man of Steel.
The soundtrack and the script are both due credit as well, the soundtrack aims to add to the emotion, add to what your seeing and it does this superbly. The script must be applauded for how real Frank and April's arguments feel, how the pair of them are both in the wrong and in the right during their bouts is very real to anyone who's been in a relationship.
In the early period of the film when Frank and April believe they are going to get away the film feels you with such hope that it makes you want to get out and live your life and not slow down (I even started making lists of things I wanted to do) but by the end of the film, after that horrible "oh god" moment you are left completely drained by it. Powerful cinema.
Now this is not to say this film is not without its flaws, the ending is a little bit obvious - I found myself feeling that the ending was the only way to go with this films ending. The script also suffers slightly from having to obey the conventions of its period setting. Finally Mendes has already (superbly) deconstructed suburban life with his (brilliant) Amercian Beauty, which did it slightly better. And did it in a way that doesn't drain you of hope.
4.5
Comments
Post a Comment