Oh boy, this film has been such a life-changer for me. I mean, I always knew Sam Mendes was one hell of a director. I believe I said as much in my review of”
Away we go”. (And if I didn’t, I should have done ) Anyone with eyes in their heads and half an understanding of cinema knows that Kate Winslet is a brilliant actress. Same for Leonardo Di Caprio – Mr. Di Caprio’s considerable talent has been rather overshadowed by his “pretty boy” image, especially so after “Titanic”, but anyone following him cannot fail to notice that he has really and truly come into his own these last couple of years… It naturally follows that combining the three is going to make for one hell of a powerful cocktail. But then again, that’s kinda like the difference between logically knowing a hurricane must be scary then witnessing one and s**ting oneself from fear. If you see what I mean. Speaking of “Titanic”, I actually threw the name out there without thinking but it might be interesting to watch the two films one after the other and compare the two lead actors’ performances. Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet made a sensational couple there as well, some might say historically so. By the way, this is the second film this update starring a director and his wife /partner (Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet - I guess once you marry a famous actor /actress you're sorted castingwise, no? ;) ) Naturally, both actors have grown and matured a lot since then, and this film gives both the opportunity for performances with a lot more depth. Speaking of which, about time we got round to said film, no?
So, we are transported back to post-WW2 America. Meet the Wheelers. Frank (Leonardo Di Caprio) works in a big firm in the sales department – not a job he particularly enjoys but it pays well. April (Kate Winslet) is a home-maker (as was any self-respecting woman in those days). Although she dreams of becoming an actress, she hides this well and with their two beautiful children, they are a “model couple” on the block; a family everyone knows and respects. Their life is, however, growing monotonous – as modern life tends to. Frank has drifted into this job without particularly thinking about his own talents and interests – in fact, he has no idea what he would really like to do with his life. April loathes suburbia and yearns for something, anything that would get them “out of the mould”. And she comes up with a very daring plan: Upping and moving the entire family to Paris. Frank was posted there during the war and has always dreamed of going back there. April has never travelled. As for how they will live there, April has thought of that as well… She can get a job as a secretary in one of the government agencies there – they pay well after all… She can support the family. In the meanwhile, Frank can sit back and figure out what he wants to be in life. This will give him the time and the opportunity to study, to learn, to live. Although Frank is taken aback by this idea, he warms to it pretty quickly – and preparations begin. The life that seemed no longer “their own” but handed out to them by “the system” has suddenly become theirs again and the excitement is great. The system, however, does not let go of one easily. And the Wheelers will soon find out that it takes a bit more than a steamer ticket and notice to Franks’ boss to get out…
Needles to say this film caused quite a stirr in its' day - you may also remember this film from the Oscars of 2009 - it earned itself a very respectable 3 nominations - Art Direction, Costume Design and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Shannon (John, Frank's cubicle-mate)
What I really admire about Sam Mendes is his ability to show day to day life as it is. Taken like that, it doesn’t sound like much of a talent – but it is. Making films about great wars and sweeping romances is relatively easy. It’s giving day to day life the importance it really carries that takes talent. Because I mean, let’s be honest – most of us go through life without witnessing any great wars or historic events – not one on one anyway. Life, however, day to day life, carries many tragedies, events, may ups and downs on a totally different level. And one of the greatest of these events is what Frank and April try to do: Escape the rat race. Another cliché, no? But it’s a cliché for a reason. A routine is not a bad thing – having a steady job and a routine life is NOT a bad thing don’t get me wrong. It’s just not for everyone. Some of us are lucky enough to be born in places, into families that support our “mad ideas”. We have people around us who encourage us to “seek our fortunes” or “try our hand at” whatever it is. Society, however, is not encouraging in that sense. Add to that our innate sense of the need for a routine, the fact that this may be the only lifestyle we have ever known – and the very human fear of the unknown… So many things; so many big and important things – that surround us every day like walls in such a way that we barely notice them – to negotiate. So many things we encounter every day that we have to look at in a brand new light. That’s what makes “uprooting and starting again” so tough. Especially, at a certain age. And the Wheelers are just at that age- just before the children are too old to be uprooted, and just before they are too stuck in their ways to ever change them. Mendes lands us slap bang in the middle of their inner turmoil and leaves us dazed at the end. I think – in the novel more so than the film; oh by the way this is the adaptation of a novel by Richard Yates – anyhoo, I think the fact that Frank does not have a particular “dream”, the fact that he is acutely aware of this yet has never had the chance to figure out what his vocation (as opposed to his profession) is, is also very, very descriptive of most of us today. I’m guessing most people who work in the private sector will find something of themselves in this film. You say you don’t ? Well maybe not… So long as you’re sure you’re being honest with yourself that is…
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