Revolutionary Road

2009, 15, Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon  
 

Sam Mendes directed then-wife Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road, a 50s set rebuttal of the American dream somewhat more notable for pairing Winslet with her former Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. But loved up they ain't as we are introduced to the Wheelers (all too briefly) by way of quick scenes showcasing their blossoming love. Yet Revolutionary Road places the focus on the strain of married life, eight years on. Following a particular rough patch (which sees the acting dreams of Winslet’s Helen realised in an underwhelming manner,) the couple convince themselves that moving from suburbia to Paris may just be the upheaval their lives are in desperate need of. Both actors - as per - are class acts in what is essentially a two-hander with intermittent interruptions from Kathy Bates, as prying neighbour Helen Givings, and her mentally-ill son, John (Michael Shannon, Oscar-nominated in an underplayed yet no less effective role) who sees it as his business to broadly point out some inexplicable home truths to Frank and Helen. The actors and the words they deliver are standout in an otherwise bleak affair that comments on social norms of suburban lifestyles of the 50s. Without a peak or a clear-cut narrative, Revolutionary Road trawls to its downbeat ending as surely as it starts. This is the point; Mendes remains in full charge of the source material (Richard Yates’ 1961 novel) from minute one right through to the subtext-strewn closing shot.

4/5

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Rise of the Guardians

2012, PG, Directed by Peter Ramsey
Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Jude Law

Just when you thought there was to be no annual festive cinema trips to be had, Dreamworks Animations’ adaptation ofWilliam Joyce's Rise of the Guardians arrives just in time to salvage the imminent disappointment families the world round would feel if there had been none. Although not the Christmas film one might have hoped for, a central figure is the big guy himself, Santa (here inconspicuously named North,) who we are led to believe is in cahoots with fellow 'Guardians,’ - innately-believed-in figures including the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and the Easter Bunny. These Guardians must not only Rise (apologies,) but enlist fresh meat in Jack Frost, when Jude Law's hammy, slightly annoying and oh-so very British Bogeyman Pitch aims to stamp out all children's innocent beliefs in these loved icons. Kidnapping tooth fairies, removing Easter eggs; Pitch could quite potentially be the most evil villain committed to animation in quite some time. How could he not be?

Where Rise peaks is in the charming characterisation and assumed relationships between these figures - Hugh Jackman's Aussie twang brings countless chuckles to almost all of Bunnymund's dialogue, and his one-upmanship with Chris Pine's Frost leads to entertainingly well-captured set-pieces. Alec Baldwin's Russian Santa is a grandiose, loveable yet authoritative leader with the words 'naughty' and 'nice' tattooed on each arm. Top marks for fresh incarnations. Isla Fisher rounds out the voicing talent, making her fairy Tooth, a sweet one. Opting to leave the Sandman voiceless - a figure arguably not as etched out as the rest - proves to be a credible decision; it's left to the animators to provide him more character as a silent, cuddly presence. 

Strangely lacking in Christmas cheer (lots of snow, but set at Easter,) this is stellar franchise-fodder by Dreamworks to deliver Shrek and Kung Fu Panda levels of family fun, proving themselves as reliable as...well, as reliable as our gift-delivering Guardians. Who you all believe in...right? 


3.5/5

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