Wisdom of Nuggets

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Opening at the Nugget on Friday, March 6

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, Kathy Bates, Ty Simpkins, Zoe Kazan, David Harbour, Ryan Simpkins
Director: Sam Mendes
Screenplay: Justin Haythe from the novel by Richard Yates
Running time: 1:59
Rated: R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Subtitles: None

What’s REVOLUTIONARY ROAD about? REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is consistently elevated by superb performances and Sam Mendes’ expectedly enthralling directorial choices. Screenwriter Justin Haythe – taking off from Richard Yates’ celebrated novel - does a fine job capturing the suburban angst of the two main characters and allows the movie to transcend its circa-1950s setting to become a completely relevant piece of work. The story follows married couple Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) as they inevitably come to regret their decision to settle down and have kids with Frank’s frustration at work matched by April’s boredom at home. Along with their compelling story, Mendes provides breathtaking visuals proving effective at instantly capturing the viewer’s interest. DiCaprio and Winslet bring their sharply-drawn characters to life and transform Frank and April into complex, endlessly captivating people whose many relatable attributes bring us to feel deeply for them. There are electrifying interludes - anything featuring Michael Shannon’s unhinged John Givings – which ensure that REVOLUTIONARY ROAD stays a cut above such similarly-themed fare as THE ICE STORM and LITTLE CHILDREN. A powerful emotional punch from the third act (coupled with a perfect final scene) cements the film’s place as one of Mendes’ best.

Quote from REVOLUTIONARY ROAD:
April Wheeler (Kate Winslet): “I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once, and now I loathe the sight of you. In fact, if you come any closer, if you touch me or anything, I think I’ll scream.”

What’s being said about REVOLUTIONARY ROAD? “DiCaprio is in peak form, bringing layers of buried emotion to a defeated man. And the glorious Winslet defines what makes an actress great, blazing commitment to a character and the range to make every nuance felt.” Peter Travers at RollingStone.com, and “REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is a very good bigscreen adaptation of an outstanding American novel — faithful, intelligent, admirably acted, superbly shot.” Todd McCarthy at Variety.com

See the REVOLUTIONARY ROAD movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/revolutionaryroad/