By: Holley Sinn

Verdict: Approved*

Director Sam Mendes seems to have a thing for picking apart the human condition.  In 1999, he exposed the modern suburban family and explored the effects of repression and dissatisfaction in "American Beauty".  With the reunion of his beautiful wife, Kate Winslett and her "Titanic" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, Mendes delves into a similar set of subjects, this time in the picture perfect 1950s. 

Revolutionary Road is the name of the quaint, quiet street where Kate's "April" and Leo's "Frank" have settled to raise their children and create the model 1950s life.  The film begins with a spat brought on by April's mediocre performance in a community play.  Both spouses feel trapped in a world of convention but cannot figure out how to escape.  Frank takes momentary pleasure in an office tryst while April formulates a plan that she believes will reignite the passion in her marriage and finally flesh out the dreams that united her with Frank in the first place. 

As Frank and April plan their family's escape to an adventurous life in Paris, the magic in their relationship seems to return with vengeance.  Frank becomes more flippant with his work and quells his extramarital behavior while April joyfully packs and secures steamer tickets for the family.  However, their excitement is short-lived due to an unexpected pregnancy and an even more unexpected promotion.  As Frank fights to find joy in his suburban life, April tumbles into despair, knowing that the family's one shot at a different sort of life has passed.

While Frank and April see themselves as outsiders, they are actually closely mirrored by their supporting cast.  April's best friend, Milly Campbell, played by Kathryn Hahn, represents Frank.  While there is the suggestion of some pent up desire to fly, she uses a desperate sort of cheerfulness to mask her dissatisfaction and to even convince herself that she is content.  April is represented by John Givings, played by Michael Shannon, who is the son of the couples' realtor and a recently diagnosed lunatic, sentenced to electric shock treatments to rid him of his desperate need to break free from normalcy. 

The other characters follow suit - falling into personality sub-categories, all suffering from a measure of claustrophobia and fear.  The idea is that no one is immune to the pull of a possible alternate existence, but most simply choose not to recognize the urge.  Frank and April are a testament to what can happen when the weight of repression becomes too much to bear.

I think it's safe to say that no one actually ENJOYS this film, but I don't think it was intended to be entertaining.  It's a cautionary tale and an intense examination of what it means to lie to oneself, whether for the better or the worse.

*I'm approving "Revolutionary Road" with several caviats.  This is an emotionally charged, well-made, well-acted film, and from the perspective of a practiced storyteller, it's really something to be appreciated.  However, despite some brief spots of awkward humor, this film is really a total downer and should not be seen with one's spouse, while on a date, after consuming alcohol or on a cloudy day.  "Revolutionary Road" is rated R for language and sexual content, and it is now playing in most theaters here in the bay area.