Carnage (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” film adaptation of the popular Yasmina Reza play is hilarious, chaotic and features magnificent performances by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.  Overall, “Carnage” is a film that is full of intense emotion and yet, I found this film to be quite captivating and enjoyable.  Recommended.

Images courtesy of © © 2011 SBS Productions, Constantin Film Produktion GmbH, SPI Film Studio, Versatil Cinema, S.L., Zanagar Films and France 2 Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Carnage

DURATION: 90 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 2:35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English and French 5.0 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Classics

RATED: R (For Language)

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Directed by Roman Polanski

Based on the play “Le Dieu du carnage” by Yasmina Reza

Screenplay by Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski

Translation by Michael Katims

Produced by Said Ben Said

Co-Produced by Oliver Beren, Martin Moszkowicz

Music by Alexandre Desplat

Cinematography by Pawel Edelman

Edited by Herve de Luze

Casting by Fiona Weir

Production Design by Dean Tavoularis

Set Decoration by Franckie Diago

Costume Design by Milena Canonero

Starring:

Jodie Foster as Penelope Longstreet

Kate Winslet as Nancy Cowan

Christoph Waltz as Alan Cowan

John C. Reilly as Michael Longstreet

Elvis Polanski as Zachay Cowan

Eliot Beerger as Ethan Longstreet

CARNAGE is a razor-sharp, biting comedy centered on parental differences. After two boys duke it out on a playground, the parents of the “victim” invite the parents of the “bully” over to work out their issues. A polite discussion of childrearing soon escalates into verbal warfare, with all four parents revealing their true colors. None of them will escape the carnage.Directed by Roman Polanski (The Pianist), Carnage stars Academy Award®-winner Kate Winslet (Best Actress, The Reader, 2008) and Academy Award®-winner Christoph Waltz (Best Supporting Actor, Inglourious Basterds, 2009) as husband and wife Nancy and Alan Cowan, opposite Academy Award®-winner Jodie Foster (Best Actress, The Silence of the Lambs, 1991; Best Actress, The Accused, 1988) and Academy Award®-nominee John C. Reilly (Best Supporting Actor, Chicago, 2002) as Penelope and Michael Longstreet.

Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” is hilarious, comedic chaos at its very best!  A wonderful performance by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

In France, Yasmina Reza’s 2006 successful play “Le Dieu du carnage” (God of Carnage) is widely acclaimed.  Having received multiple awards and productions all over the world, the play received its film adaptation in 2011 courtesy of Roman Polanski (“The Pianist”, “Rosemary’s Baby”, “Chinatown”).

The film stars  Jodie Foster (“The Silence of the Lambs”, “Panic Room”, “Contact”), Kate Winslet (“Titanic”, “Revolutionary Road”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), Christoph Waltz (“Inglorious Basterds”, “The Green Hornet”, “Water for Elephants”) and  John C. Reilly (“Magnolia”, “Boogie Nights”, “The Aviator”, “Step Brothers”).

The film would earn a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actress” for Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet, including a Cesar Award nomination for “Best Writing – Adaptation” for Roman Polanski and Yasmina Reza.

“Carnage” is set in New York City and we see a confrontation between two boys at the park.  One of the boys grabs a stick and slams it into another one’s face.

We then watch the parents of both boys discussing the matter.  The parents of the boy with the stick, investment broker Nancy Cowan (played by Kate Winslet) and her husband, corporate attorney Alan Cowan (played by Christoph Waltz) visits the home of the parents of the boy that was struck, writer Penelope Longstreet (played by Jodie Foster) and salesman Michael Longstreet (played by John C. Reilly).  The Longstreet’s child has been on codeine and may have lost a tooth permanently.

At first the conversation between the parents was cordial, the Cowans admit their son did something wrong and they apologize for their son’s actions. The Longstreet’s try to be good hosts as they provide apple and peach cobbler and some coffee.

As the meeting is about to end, things begin to escalate when Penelope feels the Conway’s son had disfigured their child’s face. Alan Cowan is shocked by Penelope’s use of words because she is saying that their son disfigured their child (which he didn’t).

As Michael tries to calm his wife down, the discussion then goes off on a tangent as Penelope talks about their daughter and how they had to get rid of her hamster.  Michael talks about how he left the hamster in its cage on the street curb.  Immediately, this sets Nancy Cowan off as she feels that what Michael did is inhumane.  Immediately, Nancy Cowan starts painting Michael as a murderer and this sets Michael off.

As the Conways try to leave the apartment once again, Alan gets a call from work about a possible lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company he represents.  And they are unable to leave and this sets Nancy off about how her husband is constantly working and on the phone.   Then more arguing ensues as Alan is upset that his wife is bringing out her anger about him to the Longstreet’s.  This time Nancy vomits all over the living room table on top of Penelope’s books (and also on her husband Alan).

As the Cowan’s try to clean off the vomit off their clothes, the Longstreet’s try to rescue Penelope’s “hard to find” books that were vomited on by using a hairdryer and perfume.  Meanwhile, as Longstreet’s talk badly about their guests, Alan Cowan overhears them and how they are mocking their “pet names” used for each other.  Trying to repair the situation, Michael tells them they also have dumb pet names and call each other “Darjeeling”.

Meanwhile, Penelope pushes the Cowan’s buttons even more by telling them that she wants the boys to meet and the Cowan’s son to apologize and know what he did is wrong.  Alan tells her that she can try but he’s 11-years-old and knows that what he did is wrong but not sure what the repercussions are because he is young.

This leads to a conversation of what the two boys were arguing about and we find out that the boy struck the Longstreet’s son because he was not allowed to join their gang.   This leads to Michael and Alan talking about their younger years and how they had their own gangs which upsets Penelope.  Next thing you know, it’s Penelope vs. her husband Michael and the two argue against each other in front of the Cowan’s.  This leads to Michael breaking out the alcohol and as the two men start drinking, it becomes a conversation about wives vs. husbands and arguments continue to escalate.

It becomes a full-on verbal warfare and all the flaws of each person is brought out.  Will the parents who are behaving like children accomplish anything positive through this meeting?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Carnage” is presented in 2:35:1 anamorphic widescreen and audio in English, French 5.0 Dolby Digital.  Before I go on, it’s important to note that this film will be released on Blu-ray, so if you want the best picture and audio quality, I recommend watching it on HD.

With that being said, “Carnage” is a film that takes place entirely in a set featuring a living room, bathroom, hallway and computer room.  Most of the scenes of the film are in the living room.  So for those expecting a variety of scenes taking place in multiple locations, this is not one of those films.  “Carnage” is a film that focuses on characters, emotion and full-on verbal assaults.

On DVD, picture quality is good but of course, I’m sure you will see much more clarity and detail from the Blu-ray version.  As for the audio, dialogue is clear and heard no hiss or any problems at all.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Carnage” comes with the following special features:

Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” film adaptation of the popular Yasmina Reza play is hilarious, chaotic and features magnificent performances by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

I absolutely enjoyed this film to see how a simple conversation became complex and the intensity of the verbal assaults was hilarious and the performances, so powerful!   I have watched many films of conversations between individuals and there are some films such as “My Dinner with Andre” that focuses on a conversation but yet, becomes so witty and hilarious that you can’t help but appreciate the film.

The same goes for “Carnage”.  While I have not seen the play, what I enjoyed about this film is how these four talents were able to transform their characters from civilized parents discussing their children to this breakdown of their characters as all gloves are off and the worst comes out of their mouths not just against the other parents, but couples start to fight each other.  It becomes wife vs. husband, wife vs. wife, husband vs. husband, wives against the husbands, it’s just amazing how these adults lose control and I found the whole exchange quite hysterical.

While a short film compared to other Roman Polanski films, as always with Polanski, it’s attention to detail and subtlety and the way he was able to showcase the talent is amazing.  And you can’t go wrong when you have Academy Award winning talent cast in your film.  I enjoyed the performances by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly but I just have to say that Jodie Foster in this film was absolutely fantastic!

When you literally can see and feel the anger coming off Foster’s character, it feels real, it looks real.  Her performance was amazing and I have no doubt that the other talents fed from that.  Not only did Foster deliver, you can see the anger in her face, the tension in her skin, the veins literally about to pop out, her performance was absolutely amazing!

If anything, I was more curious about John C. Reilly as he was cast opposite of Foster. At first I thought that the chemistry was good, but then when you find out that the two traveled through Africa, the credibility of the two as a couple felt a bit off.   Nevertheless, the actor also held his own and also brought a more calming effect towards the beginning of this film.  Also, his role required a little bit more action of having to clean up the vomit and having to use the hairdryer quite a bit.

And speaking of vomit, for those with a low-tolerance to films that showcase vomit, I just want to warn you right now that you’re going to see some vomit chunks in this film.

As for the DVD release, you get a hilarious Q&A segment with John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz, plus the talent talking about their characters and also seeing them on the red carpet.  As mentioned, for those who want better PQ and AQ, definitely go for the Blu-ray release but as for the DVD is concerned, the film looks and sounds very good on DVD and because most of the entire film is shot inside a living room and the film relies on character performance, some may feel that the DVD will be good enough.

As for the film’s title, “Carnage”, it has to do with the incident involving the children.  Jodie Foster as Penelope Longstreet rejects violence and wants civility, while Alan Cowan believes that his son and the use of physical force is part of humanity.  To see this mental breakdown among civilized people.

For example, Penelope is the writer who has covered Africa.  In the beginning, she is civil but once her beloved books have vomit all over them, we start to see her change.   We also see her change and side with Nancy Cowan on Michael’s treatment of the hamster.  We saw Michael being the calm one of the bunch but when his wife starts to unleash her anger towards him, we realize this conversation between these four adults is going nowhere.  But for the audience, it’s the intensity of their exchange, the escalation of the verbal assaults that become quite hysterical and amusing.

“Carnage” is a film that captivates you through escalating verbal assaults that lead to a chaotic disintegrating meeting between four adults who discuss their children’s incident.   While I have heard that the play has much more than the film adaptation, on its own, you can’t help but be amused by the wonderful performances by the talents.  Was it perfect?  Not at all, but the film does work and you can’t help but laugh at what you see happening before your eyes.  I found it absolutely amusing.

But of course, for some cinema fans, Roman Polanski taking on a dark comedy such as this, may seem like a step backwards or not in par compared to other films in his oeuvre.   It may not be one of his more memorable films but I do applause Roman Polanski trying something different.

Overall, “Carnage” is a film that is full of intense emotion and yet, I found this film to be quite captivating and enjoyable.  Recommended.

NEXT WEEK ON THE VIEW (3/21-25, 2011)

KEIFER SUTHERLAND, JENNIFER HUDSON, DONALD TRUMP AND KATE WINSLET
ARE AMONG THE FEATURED GUESTS ON “THE VIEW,” MARCH 21-25

Keifer Sutherland (“24,” “The Lost Boys”), now on Broadway in “The Championship Season,” joined by another of the show’s stars, comic Jim Gaffigan, Academy Award(tm) winners Jennifer Hudson (“I Remember Me”) and Kate Winslet (“Mildred Pierce”), former TV talk show host Dick Cavett (author, Talk Show), Donald Trump (“Celebrity Apprentice”), Chef Rocco DiSpirito, Clinton Kelly (host, TLC’s “What Not to Wear”), comic Richard Lewis (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Sarah Brokaw, daughter of newsman Tom Brokaw and author of Fortytude, are featured MARCH 21-25 on “The View” (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET) on the ABC Television Network.

On Friday, March 25, Brooks Douglass (“Heaven’s Rain”) and his sister, Leslie, recount the horrific events of 1979 when their Okarche, Oklahoma home became the target of a random burglary, destroying an innocent family, their parents tragically murdered, while they themselves were shot and left to die but miraculously survived.

Scheduled guests the week of MARCH 21-25 are as follows (subject to change):

MONDAY, MARCH 21 – First appearance on “The View” from acclaimed actor Keifer Sutherland, joined by one of his stage co-stars, comedic actor Jim Gaffigan (Broadway’s “The Championship Season”); former television talk show host Dick Cavett (author, Talk Show).

TUESDAY, MARCH 22 – Academy Award(tm) winner Jennifer Hudson (“I Remember Me”); seven principles of fat burning.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 – Donald Trump (“Celebrity Apprentice”); new installment of “Ladies Who Lunch” with guest, Chef Rocco DiSpirito; Macy’s fashions with guest Clinton Kelly (host, TLC’s “What Not to Wear”).

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 – Comic Richard Lewis (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”); Sarah Brokaw, daughter of newsman Tom Brokaw and author of Fortytude.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 – Academy Award(tm) winner Kate Winslet (“Mildred Pierce”); Brooks Douglass (“Heaven’s Rain”) and sister Leslie recount the horrific events of 1979 when their Okarche, Oklahoma home became the target of a random burglary destroying an innocent family, their parents tragically murdered, and they themselves shot and left to die; prom fashions; grand finale of “‘The View’: Where’s My Car?”

“The View” features Daytime Emmy Award-winning hosts Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. It’s the original forum in which real women discuss everyday issues, share their opinions and engage in colorful conversations. “The View,” broadcast in HDTV and produced in 2-channel stereo sound, is now available to watch online daily at 4:00 p.m., ET/1:00 p.m., PT on the ABC Digital Full Episode Player at ABC.com. “The View” is produced by ABC Daytime and Ms. Walters’ Barwall Productions, with Ms. Walters serving as executive producer along with Bill Geddie, who also serves as executive producer for “The Barbara Walters Specials.” “The View” is directed by Mark Gentile.

For breaking news and updated videos follow “The View” (@theviewtv) and hosts Barbara Walters (@BarbaraJWalters), Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar), Elisabeth Hasselbeck (@ehasselbeck) and Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) on Twitter.(tm)

Kate Winslet dating British model Louis Dowler

Five months after divorcing director/husband Sam Mendes, Kate Winslet has found a new love as she was seen with her new boyfriend, British model Louis Dowler as they were leaving the Groucho Club and leaving to go to the Mahiki Nightclub last Friday.

Winslet’s divorce was made public back in March, she was previously married to director Jim Threapleton which ended in 2001.

Director Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet are divorcing

After seven years of marriage, director Sam Mendes and actress Kate Winslet have decided to end their union.

The lawyers for both have issued a statement:

“Kate and Sam are saddened to announce that they separated earlier this year. The split is entirely amicable and is by mutual agreement. Both parties are fully committed to the future joint parenting of their children.”

Kate Winslet arriving at the Bambi Awards 2009 in Germany

Actress Kate Winslet arrives to the Bambi Awards 2009 at the Metropolis Hall at the Filmpark Babelsberg on November 26, 2009 in Potsdam, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

Director Sam Mendes and wife actress Kate Winslet at the NY screening of “Away We Go”

Director Sam Mendes and wife actress Kate Winslet attend a special New York screening of ‘Away We Go’ at Landmark’s Sunshine Cinema on June 1, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images . All rights reserved.

Revolutionary Road (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Based on one of the top novels ever written in the US, Richard Yates’s ‘Revolutionary Road’ was thought provoking then and even now.  Featuring outstanding performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, ‘Revolutionary Road’ is a film about the death of the American Dream and the family who bought into that dream and thought that life would be happily ever after.  Powerful, emotional, heartbreaking and so real!”

Images courtesy of © 2008 DW Studios LLC.  All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Revolutionary Road

DURATION: 118 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese

RATED: R (For Language and Some Sexual Content/Nudity)

COMPANY: Paramount Home Entertainment/BBC Films

RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2009

Directed by Sam Mendes

Based on the novel by Richard Yates

Written by Justin Haythe

Executive Producer: Henry Fernaine, Marion Rosenberg, David M. Thompson

Co-Executive Producer: Pippa Harris, Peter Kalmbach, Nina Wolarsky

Produced by Bobby Cohen, John Hart, Sam Mendes, Scott Rudin

Music by Thomas Newman

Director of Photography: Roger Deakins

Edited by Tariq Anwar

Casting by Ellen Lewis and Debra Azane

Production Design by Kristi Zea

Art Direction by Teresa Carriker-Thayer, John Kasarda, Nicholas Lundy

Set Decoration by Debra Schutt

Costume Design by Albert Wolsky

Starring:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Wheeler

Kate Winslet as April Wheeler

Michael Shannon as John Givings

Ryan Simpkins as Jennifer Wheeler

Ty Simpkins as Michael Wheeler

Kathy Bates as Mrs. Helen Givings

Richard Easton as Mr. Howard Givings

David Harbour as Shep Campbell

Kathryn Hahn as Milly Campbell

Zoe Kazan as Maureen Grube

Dylan Baker as Jack Ordway

Keith Reddin as Ted Bandy

Academy Award® nominee Leonardo DiCaprio* and Academy Award® winner Kate Winslet** reunite for two powerful, groundbreaking performances in Revolutionary Road. Based on the bestseller by Richard Yates, this mesmerizing and moving story follows the lives of a passionate young couple living in suburban Connecticut who decide to risk everything to pursue their dreams. They’re willing to break away from the ordinary – but can they do it without breaking apart? Acclaimed by critics, Revolutionary Road is hailed as “…a masterpiece.” (Mick LaSalle, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE)

In 1962, author Richard Yates wrote his first novel titled “Revolutionary Road”.  The book would receive critical acclaim and Time has it listed as one of the top 100 best English-language novels written from 1923 to the present.

Many people consider it one of the best books they have ever read, as it was one of the few books that deconstructs the 1950′s nuclear family of living the American dream.  Where everything looks so right about a family who moves to the suburbs, gets the nice house and lives happily ever after.  Yates wanted to show that these families were not perfect, that behind-the-scenes, not everything was perfect. “Revolutionary Road” is what author Richard Yates has explained as “the tattered remnants of the American Dream”.

It took 46 years for this book to be adapted to film and with a screenplay written by Justin Haythe (“The Clearing”), Director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty”, “Road to Perdition”, “Jarhead”, etc.) and his wife, actress Kate Winslett (“Titanic”, “Finding Neverland”, “All the Kings Men”, “Little Children”) who loved the book, eventually got her dear friend, actor Leonardo DiCaprio (“Titanic”, “Gangs of New York”, “The Departed”, “Body of Lies”, etc.) to read the script and become part of the film.

“Revolutionary Road” would also include world renown cinematographer Roger Deakins (“A Beautiful Mind”, “Fargo”, “The Big Lebowski”, “A Beautiful Mind”, “No Country for Old Men” to name a few) and composer Thomas Newman (“Road to Perdition”, “Finding Nemo”, “Cinderella Man”, “Jarhead”, “Wall-E”, etc.) to be major key members to the crew.  The film was received well by critics and earned Kate Winslet a Golden Globe Award for “Best Actress”.

The film takes place in 1955 and focuses on the Wheeler family, primarily husband Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife April (Kate Winslet).  A couple who live in a suburb of Connecticut and see themselves so cutting edge and not the typical suburban couple.

For April Wheeler, she is starting to have enough of this suburban lifestyle.  As an actress, having to perform plays at the local school, she feels that living in this home while taking care of the children and her husband working a 10 hour job that he hates is hurting their marriage.  She yearns for the years when they first met.  When Frank was full of energy and talked about going to Paris while in the military and when the two were very much in love.

She dreams about when she and her husband met their local Realtor Helen Givings (Kathy Bates) and how they moved into their new home and just keeps reminiscing of the past.

But so much has changed since they moved into the home on Revolutionary Road.  Now with children, their lives are no different from anyone else living on the block.  She despises the life of living this so-called “American Dream” which she clearly never has bought into.

As for Frank, he works the same job where his father had worked.  Similar position at Knox Business Machines and absolutely hates it.  His relationship with his wife is deteriorating and so, he finds solace by seducing his secretary on his 30th birthday.  (Note: It’s important to note that in the 1950′s, married couples did not divorce, many couples lived together despite their problems.  Tthe American Dream of how married couples should be, was happy married couples and typically many couples kept their troubles in their home and not in public.)

When Frank arrives home, his wife April and his two children wish him a happy birthday but his wife also has come up with a plan.  Since they have saved up, they will live a new life. Move to Paris where she can get a job working as a secretary at a Government office and take care of the family and just enjoy life.  The two are so enthusiastic about doing this and their relationship seems to be positive again.

Both have their mindset now on Paris which they plan to move in a few months.  When they tell their friends and neighbors, Shep Campbell (David Harbour) and Milly Campbell (Kathryn Hahn), both appear surprised and shocked by the announcement.  Both have fun seeing how people react that they are moving to Paris and Frank is just happy that he can quit his job and his family will have this good life.  Their friends think they are being immature and not smart about their decision but both Frank and April feel they are back to their cutting edge lifestyle.

That is until Frank’s talent at work gets notied by the higher ups and is offered a promotion and higher pay and April reveals that she is pregnant.  April hears about an abortion kit and wants to use it, so they can pursue their lives in Paris but Frank is against it and decides to stay put.  April’s dreams of leaving the suburban life has been destroyed and the life of the Wheeler family will never be the same again.

“Revolutionary Road” was a tour de force when released back in 1962.  The family lifestyle of achieving that “American Dream” was a facade that many families bought into.  About how life should be.  Author Richard Yates wrote about the so-called perfect family life that no one wanted to talk about at the time and to give a voice to those who were too scared to come out and say their family life was not perfect.  Yates who had his own problems with life as a child and also having failed marriages wrote about the new American tragedy and let’s people know, that “American Dream” is over.

The book which was brilliantly written and so real, that many felt the impact of what Yates had to write.  And longtime overdue, over 45 years later, finally a film based on the book has been created.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Revolutionary Road” is featured in 1080p High Definition.  It’s also a film that was not shot in a studio lot and filmed entirely outdoors and indoors in actual homes with natural lighting.  And what better to capture the destruction of marriage but most importantly, young love in the 1950′s none other than popular cinematographer Roger Deakins.

Colors are vibrant, warm and they really come out strong.  Blacks are nice and deep but greens, blues and earth tones really do come out in the film.  Picture quality is clear, detailed and warm when it needs to be and dark when it needs to be.  There are no dust and white specks, nor are their any compression artifacts.  Overall, beautiful cinematography from Roger Deakins equates to wonderful picture quality.  I have not been disappointed by any of his films that he shot on camera and were released on Blu-ray.  Wonderful work!

As for the audio, “Revolutionary Road” is featured in English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (and also French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital).  The film is primarily front channel driven.  Dialogue is crystal clear and everything is understandable.  So, arguments and anger (typically seen and heard when Frank takes his anger out on his car or objects) is heard quite clearly.

There is very good directional use of audio panning through your two front speakers but overall, this is not a film to expect low frequency bass or utilization of the rear surrounds.    I will say that the music by composer Thomas Newman really does come alive throughout the film.  The music showcases the loving couple and heightens to their instability and that life can have its highs but its lows.  The music really does enhance such scenes and overall, audio quality is quite satisfactory for a film like this.

Subtitles are featured in English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Revolutionary Road” features the following special features:

• Commentary with Director Sam Mendes and Screenwriter Justin Haythe - The commentary by the two are well done and informative.  The two discuss everything from adapting the novel to film and the differences between the two.   Sam talks about working with his wife Kate in the film and working with the other talents in the film.
• Lies of Quiet Desperation: The Making of Revolutionary Road - (29:00) A featurette that goes into details of how Sam Mendes came to become the director of the film, how Kate Winslet was such a big fan of the film that she wanted to do this film but also work with her husband.  Mendes talks about preparing himself working with his wife and says that even if he was not married to her, she would be his first choice.  Winslet talks about how she got Leonardo DiCaprio to consider the script and interviews with the talents and crew.  This featurette is presented in High Definition.
• Richard Yates: The Wings of Truth - (26:04) A featurette celebrating the life of author Richard Yates in HD.  Interviews with the family and friends about Richard and the difficulties he had growing up, being picked on by kids who called him a sissy because he was a momma’s boy but changed his life and joined the military.  When he returned back home, he had to take care of his mother and his father was rarely there.  So, by working jobs and taking care of his mother, he had to forgo college (which was a big regret for him) and became a writer.  We learn how alcohol was important to writers and how Yates became an alcoholic and also we learn about his temper.  But we also learn about the positive sides of Yates through his various children and also really interesting tidbits of his personal life.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Sam Mendes and Screenwriter Justin Haythe – (25:14) A total of 14 deleted scenes with optional commentary.  There are a few scenes that the director wish he didn’t cut.  Also, a powerful ending for the character Frank Wheeler which was not used in the film.   These deleted scenes are featured in HD.
• Theatrical Trailer – (2:12) The original theatrical trailer in HD.

“Revolutionary Road” is an extremely powerful film and also a tragic love story.  The performances by Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio were outstanding and the emotions and the chemistry these two talents bring to each other is quite amazing.  Just watching the scenes of both DiCaprio and Winslet arguing and just seeing how their characters are truly suffering, is painful.

Winslet was absolutely fabulous and I think that working with DiCaprio on “Titanic”, these two talents know how to work together and make things happen on screen.   Most of all,  I think that working with her husband, Director Sam Mendes for the first time brought a certain carefulness and also a heightened elegance for the film.  It could of worked terribly but fortunately, it worked quite well.

With Yates original novel and to the screenplay adaption, this film storyline of a loving marriage slowly being destroyed is a theme that was very relevant then, is quite relevant  now.   I can see why the book shocked people then and why the movie shocked people now because it was so candid about the destruction of the “American Life” and it seemed so real.  For many young couples, marriage in the beginning seems so right.  The decisions made to have things work right, it’s almost the idea of how our parents or even grandparents have lived their lives and I see it passed down to today’s generation.  Marriage, children, big house, work late, and yet somehow trying to achieve that dream, for many… that love and that life that may have started so awesome in the beginning and then things quickly change.

Frank and April Wheeler thought they wouldn’t be like that.  Frank was a military man who experienced life and said to himself, he would not be like his father and work a dead end job that he hated.  April was an actress from the city who had dreams.  But somehow these two decided to leave the city and make it happen in the suburbs and tried to tell themselves they were better.  But when life becomes the same chore day in and day out, you’re no different from everyone else.  The way the film ended (which I won’t spoil for you) was sheer genius on Yates’s part and it works effectively in the film.

The Blu-ray gave us great clarity, detail and overall bringing out the beautiful cinematography by Roger Deakins in balance with the screenplay by Justin Haythe and music by Thomas Newman. Last, Director Sam Mendes who managed to catch our attention with his dark film “American Beauty” is able to give us another film that shows us the unflattering life of a married couple on the brink of disaster.

If I had any qualms about the film, there are deleted scenes that you will see on the Blu-ray.  Scenes that I felt were quite pivotal and wish they kept in the film.  Nevertheless,  “Revolutionary Road” is not an easy film to watch.  As some may want to watch a film about a positive family life and hoping that this family can meet the challenges and survive, this film doesn’t go that direction.  Especially if you’re in a relationship or are married, this film may be an eye opener for you.  It’s also a film that one may not want to watch twice, which may lead to your decision if it’s worth owning or not.

Despite how the film ends, there are those who can get a jolt by watching this film, especially if their own families have their own problems.  It’s literally an eye opener and as mentioned, as relevant as this film was in 1962, is relevant today.

Another wonderful film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet!  “Revolutionary Road” is a film worth checking out.

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio at the 66th Annual Golden Globes

picapp: Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio at the 66th Annual Golden Globes held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Photo by Zephyr/starmaxinc.com Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom. Content © 2009 Newscom . All rights reserved.