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The Other Side of Disneyland: Depressing Marriages in Film #GBE2 #MondayMovieMeme #MovieRentals
Monday, August 8, 2011 at 9:41PM 
Hollywood may have the reputation for painting romantic relationships like a fairytale where someone gets swept off of his or her feet, married and then live happily ever after in love. Film always tends to have an impact on real-life relationships whether that was the writer, producer or directorâs intention or not. Do I need to even mention that whole âThe Notebookâ fiasco where Ryan Goslingâs romantic gesture cost one real-life guy his fianceâs hand in marriage? Fortunately, there are films offering more practical stories on the big screen and thus providing a healthy balance of real-life scenarios that remind us all that not every relationship has a happy ending.
âRevolutionary Roadâ is one of these films and I am both appreciative and saddened to watch it this past weekend. I appreciate watching it finally because Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are actors whom I like in most of the films that they choose to star in. I also appreciate developing a different stance on abortion while watching this movie but that is an entirely different post and discussion to have altogether. For all of the aspects that I enjoy....and there are many that I wonât name here, âRevolutionary Roadâ still made me sad because I wanted the main charactersâ marriage to get better, not worse.
The couple in this film had a relationship that was so unpredictable at times, it was like a seesaw. One minute, they are laughing and complimenting each other and the next minute, they are arguing and reminding each other of what makes them either regret or loathe their relationship and home. What makes matters worse is that these two characters are parents, so children are involved in the equation and it is a shame because the little ones always seem to suffer the most in the end. The big kicker in âRevolutionary Roadâ though is that no matter their problems, Frank and April Wheelerâs marriage did not end in a divorce. Unfortunately, divorce may have been a little easier for viewers.....and at least one of the Wheelers to handle.
*This post serves as my interpretation of this weekâs Group Blogging Experience picture prompt and focuses on a film in honor of the Monday Movie Meme, which has been on a little hold upon the introduction of the oh, so precious Baby Bumbles.
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Reader Comments (6)
Excellent review. Now you see why the fairytale model has been successful for centuries. Humans enjoy stories of hope and success more than despair and failure. Tragedies can only survive as genre when they impart an important moral lesson.
Gotta see this one now!
Oh, and the woman who called off her engagement, citing The Notebook as the reason? My guess is that she had some serous doubts long before watching the film and questioning her fiancee. Or she's a nut.
First off: You're site is now loading super fast. What'd you do to it? Well, whatever you did, keep it up! :-)
After reading this great review I feel like such a cinema neanderthal. You've written a wonderful piece detailing the beauty and emotion of film, while I'm hyped about the release of Conan The Barbarian on blu-ray. I guess I represent the lowest common denominator this week. Heh...
havent seen this movie as yet, but might give it a shot soon. Incidentally, I know you have done a few of the monday movie meme picks proper on the bumbles blog, but (and I apologise for this) here is mine that I am shamlessly plugging to all the regulars on Bumbles. I hope you dont mind me having a shot at it for a while? let me know your thoughts. thanks.
http://smurfdok.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/monday-movie-meme-3/
Dale (Smurfin' The Web)
Revolutionary Road was depressing, but very good. I saw it when I was in the right mood to see it and appreciated it for what it was.
Lee
http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out
Completely agree on Revolutionary Road - hard to watch, but an interesting study on characters and relationships and well worth the viewing.
Oddly enough, my husband hated it, but I find he's uncomfortable with any film that breaches on women unhappy with mother roles and certainly anything that involves cheating. I guess he's old-fashioned ...