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Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio created enough chemistry in Titanic to break just about every international box office record. Girls all around the globe organized sob parties in which they would listen to the film’s soundtrack and cry over the death of Jack and the end of a storybook romance as the legendary ship sank into icy waters. James Cameron created the perfect cinematic vehicle for two young actors to make a real name for themselves. Now, roughly fifteen years later Kate and Leo reunite and have another go at love. But this is no storybook love. Fans of Titanic looking for a sequel need not apply.

Set in 1950s American suburbia, Revolutionary Road tells the story of Frank and April Wheeler who buy a home on said road and set out to live the American dream. The Wheeler’s have a few children who are practically extras in the film, then realize that time is passing them by and they should live out their dreams now while they still can. Without spoiling the plot, I will tell you that despite bright and cheerful set pieces, the film lingers in darkness for most of its run time. More of a cautionary tale about marriage than a love story, the film delivers on strong performances by all parties involved. Haunting at times, the story is thought provoking and offers an important alternative to the hundreds of Hollywood fairytale love stories that teach us love always wins out in the end. It is for this reason that the flick is a difficult watch, especially if you find yourself about to embark on the journey of marriage *cough* *cough*.

It’s difficult to fault the film’s story for being depressing or dark, and it certainly isn’t uneventful. It’s the emotional detachment common with all its characters that makes the story hard to enjoy. Nobody is particularly likable. It is this fact that makes Revolutionary Road simultaneously intriguing and real downer. Fans of drama and performance will enjoy the film on those merits alone, fans of cinematography will find ample beauty, but fans of hopeful stories should stay far, far away. The performances are worth a viewing, but the storytelling is ultimately weakened by a complete lack of joy.

The shot on the back makes this love story look swell!