Revolutionary Road (Blu-ray)

Kate and Leo are finally re-united after the all-consuming cinematic juggernaut that was Titanic. As actors though, they’ve grown considerably since their steamy escapades onboard the ill-fated ship. Winslet has since proven to be one of Britain’s finest ever exports, while DiCaprio has improved with each passing year. In the extraordinary Revolutionary Road (based on a novel by Richard Yates), the two actors collide once again to deliver career highlight performances, with their former onscreen chemistry becoming a full-blown explosion of devastating acting talent.

It’s the 1950s and Winslet and DiCaprio play April and Frank Wheeler, a young couple who have recently moved to the heartland of American conformity that is the suburbs. As Frank struggles to find enthusiasm for his unrewarding office job, April becomes increasingly frustrated with her role as housewife and mother. Deciding that their lives need a radical change in direction, April suggests a move to Paris, where she will bring home the bacon while Frank pursues his artistic urges. However, fate cruelly conspires to keep them trapped within their dreary suburban lives.

The cracks in the relationship have already begun to appear even before the title appears on screen, and sure enough, Frank and April’s decaying marriage goes from bad to worse, from minor squabbling to domestic warfare, infidelity and beyond. Both characters are doomed to unfulfilling lives of normality, and thanks to the powerful performances, the road to conformity is a heartbreaking journey to endure.

Sam Mendes’s direction is artful but never intrusive, allowing the performances to flourish while Roger Deakins’ cinematography perfectly captures that colourful, seemingly idealistic suburban setting.

Indeed, the visuals are made all the more impressive thanks to this hi-def transfer, which boasts a striking colour palette during those exterior scenes of suburban bliss, while detail on the protagonists’ anguished faces is impressive, with both Frank and April looking emotionally drained and haggard by the final act. Certain interior shots tend to be a little dull, and there’s nothing to really get excited about in terms of audio, as it never has to deal with anything other than a few heightened slagging matches and the soft and haunting music score.

The extras include the same commentary from the DVD, plus two interesting featurettes in hi-def. The ‘Making of’ featurette discusses the film’s conception, themes etc through interviews with the cast and crew, while the ‘Richard Yates’ segment explores the life and work of an interesting literary figure, who, according to the various testimonials, was an opinionated, angry individual who was always drunk!

Overall Verdict: A devastating movie and a fine high-definition package.

Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Director Sam Mendes And Screenwriter Justin Haythe
‘Lives Of Quiet Desperation: The Making Of Revolutionary Road’ Featurette
‘Richard Yates: The Wages Of Truth’ Featurette
Deleted Scenes (With Optional Commentary From Director Sam Mendes And Screenwriter Justin Haythe)
Trailer

Reviewer: Lee Griffiths