What a happy film! This is not a good film for the end of the week Friday evening relaxation. It is based on Richard Yates’ classic novel. The film is a riveting and stark marital drama with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet acting together again, this time as husband and wife. How different their parts are compared to the ones in Titanic. It is directed by Sam Mendes Kate’s real husband.
It is set in 1955 New England. They have a picture perfect house, but become increasingly resentful of the path their lives have taken. She wanted to be an actress but never made it. She became pregnant with their first child and so they settled down into their mundane lives. Neither fulfilling their dreams.
April, played by Kate Winslet tries to improve their life by suggesting they go to live in Paris. She feels that she will be able to get a job to support them. Unfortunately she falls pregant with their third child. Frank, played by DiCaprio, is also offered a better paid job.
We follow the internal journeys of these two people through the way they punish each other for failing to make the American Dream work the way it should.
The performances are mesmerizing from all the cast but it is not an easy film to watch.