It’s a relief to watch a movie trailer like the one for Revolutionary Road (due Dec. 26), a promo with no omniscient voiceover, a clip that trusts you as a grown-up to be able to figure out what the movie’s about — in this case, an unhappily married 1950s couple (Titanic lovebirds Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) who feel trapped in their suburban routine. Still, while Kate and Leo seem convincing enough, and the production appears handsomely mounted, this still looks like a prequel to director Sam Mendes’ first movie, American Beauty. I know there’s a lot more to the story (based on Richard Yates’ novel) that’s not even hinted at in this clip — notably, a significant section of the tale that takes place in Paris — so why not show that? Wouldn’t a postcard Eiffel Tower shot make the film look even more enticing to potential viewers? Or would it just look confusing in the midst of images of retro Middle America? Guess the trust in the audience’s intelligence goes only so far.
UPDATE: D’oh! Having misread EW’s preview of the film, I thought the couple actually made it to Paris. Apparently, they remain stranded in suburbia. So the trailer doesn’t misrepresent or short-sell the movie after all. Sorry about that. Still, that makes it look even more like American Beauty‘s step-parent, doesn’t it?
SPOILER
They don’t actually go to Paris. They only talk about it. So that’s why it’s not in the trailer.
Is it just me or does this look like a long episode of Mad Men? Not that I mind, I love MM and I just began reading this book and really like it so far…maybe MM should advertise this during their commercial breaks?
Lauren is right. I was just about to post the same thing.
Thoughts: is it me, or did the piano pinging at the beginning remind anyone of the Halloween music?
Also, where’s Kathy Bates?
Over the years since the spectacle of Titanic, these Kate and Leonardo have proven themselves to be two of the finest actors working today. Cannot wait.
Richard Yates is one my favourite authors of all time. I’m a bit giddy in waiting for the film to be released. I can’t look at the trailer (sad, huh?). I’ll wait until it’s in theaters then rip it apart. I hope to god they don’t change too much. One of my family members now live close to the real “Revolutionary Road” in Scarsdale.
Alaina, you’re right, it’s very Mad Men. The movie has the same themes as MM. Looks great, but yeah, not sure how it will do box office wise. Great seeing Leo and Kate together again.
Thanks goodness I am not the only one who sees the trailer and goes..”hmmm looks like ‘Mad Men’”. Plus, I’d rather have Jon Hamm any day over Leo.
Lauren & Chmoye — thanks for clarifying the Paris thing. I’ve read the book and couldn’t remember any of it taking place in Paris. Mr. Susman, care to comment? I think we should all remember that, while it may “look” like Mad Men, it’s a too easy comment to make just because of it’s time. Yes, in the early 60s men wore flat front pants and hats and women had blond hair in pony-tails, but perhaps, since the book came first, Mad Men looks like it.
I will see anything with Kate and Leo together. Can’t wait!
Thanks Louise. I hate that people are saying it looks like a show that just recently came out. Argh! Must go re-read the book now.
It is worth reading the book (which I did earlier this year). No doubt it spawned a “family tree” of similar-themed projects like American Beauty and Mad Men.
I’m counting down the days, but I’ll be livid if they change the book’s spectacular ending (although the shot of Leo running from the house leads me to believe they didn’t). Also, this isn’t a film that’s aiming for huge box office numbers, so ppl shouldn’t tear it down when it gets low numbers. And, I suggest the blogger read the brilliant book, which came out in the 60′s. American Beauty came out long after. So it would seem to me the latter rips off the former (although if you’ve read the book you’ll know they are very different).
So,if Jack&Rose survived the sinking ship,they would’ve been a quarreling,desperately unhappy suburban couple(!!!)
The trailer makes the movie seem like it’s 2 hours of Leo and Kate screaming at each other. But I’m willing to give it a chance.
Why would you give away the end of the film?