No. 54 Revolutionary Road (2008) 31 of 100

 

Jack and Rose off ‘Titanic’ are reunited in 1950’s America and spend a lot of time yelling at each other in this somewhat dull slice of domestic life.

The film opens with Leonardo DiCaprio eyeing up Kate Winslet at a party. The pair hit it off and start a relationship. Leo is somewhat rudderless and doesn’t know what he wants to do with himself and ends up selling business machines at the same firm that employed his father. Winslet has aspirations to be an actress but a local production shows that she doesn’t have the talent required.

Kate gets pregnant and the two buy a home on the titular road from relator Kathy Bates. The house would probably be worth millions today but Leo can afford it with his office job. Different times I guess!

The pair soon have two kids and have stayed friendly with Bates and with other neighbours who include David Harbour off ‘Stranger Things’. Domestic bliss doesn’t come easily for the couple and soon Leo is boffing a secretary at his work. Sensing some discontent Kate suggests they up sticks to Paris where she can work and Leo can find his passion. The two agree on the idea and have some celebratory sex. Huge mistake as is dictated by movie law Kate falls pregnant and the trip is off. To compensate she shags the ‘Stranger Things’ guy and Leo reconnects with the secretary.

In the midst of the crumbling relationship Bates introduces the couple to her son David, who is played by Shannon in a movie stealing performance. David is fresh out of an insane asylum and electro shock therapy has left him with no social filter. He’s only in two scenes but in each he yells out home truths that cut through the two leads.

As the film closes, and after yet another big fight, Leo finds Kate all sweetness and light at breakfast. He wisely doesn’t challenge her volte face actions but what has she planned for the rest of her day? Clue : It’s not ‘Loose Women’ and a Martini!

This was an OK film directed by Winslet's then husband Sam Mendes. It’s an examination of relationships in the buttoned up 1950’s and an exploration of what goes on behind close doors. It is mostly as boring as that sounds. I didn’t think the two leads gelled and I didn’t buy their initial love story. Later on when they were fighting their acting was obvious, and they were so demonstrative, it looked like a stage play in places.

Shannon was however excellent as the no holds barred David. He was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for the role, but had no chance in the year that Heath Ledger won the category posthumously for his role as the joker.

Shannon gave the other two an acting masterclass and was entirely believable as the troubled mental patient with the big mouth. It just a shame he wasn’t used more but he certainly left an impression in his few on screen minutes.

Apart from Michael there was not a lot to like apart from the costumes and sets and the Thomas Newman score. Not an awful lot happens and the two lead characters are both so unlikeable you don’t really care how they end up.

When is Shannon-On? - 45.07

Outcome? Back home with Kathy Bates

Film 3/5

Shannon Stars 4.5/5