| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A |
|
|
| Acting: |
A |
|
|
| Direction: |
A+ |
|
|
| Visuals: |
A- |
|
|
Worth every penny.
by Rachel (movies profile)
Jan 2, 2009
35
of
40 people found this review helpful
I went into this movie with high expectations, and Sam Mendes took those expectations and ran with them. I'll admit, the movie took me by surprised...it was a lot more subtly moving, twisting, and heart-wrenching than I expected. If it makes any sense to say it, the movie really reached deep in a very quiet way.
The novel itself is fantastic, and the movie certainly didn't disappoint. Kate Winslet's performance was stunning and heartbreakingly beautiful, and I give Leonardo DiCaprio full marks for emotional breadth and depth of character. If Kate Winslet doesn't win an Oscar this year, someone can slice me open...she's well overdue, and this movie should send her over the edge. Leonardo DiCaprio also fully deserves an Oscar nod if not a win. Sam Mendes's skill with direction is obvious in every corner of this movie...his fascination with familial dynamics is evident in this film, and one can see a few directorial parallels between Revolutionary Road and American Beauty, but not in an unpleasant manner. Kathy Bates was very charming in her role, and Michael Shannon stole the show and provided some truly amusing comic relief...a Greek chorus of sorts, if you will.
I HIGHLY recommend seeing this film...this isn't a date movie by any means, but a true "thinker movie" that will leave you pondering things and questioning your own life. It's rare for me to remain seated after movies, but with this film, I didn't just sit there...it left me utterly speechless. |
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