Revolutionary Road Teaches Lessons
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet Star in Emotional Film
Jan 6, 2009
"Revolutionary Road" is a movie that challenges audiences to sit back and be entertained while watching an on-screen couple struggle with real-life problems. Despite being set in the mid-1950’s, many of the issues are very relevant today.
What is "Revolutionary Road" About?
Frank and April Wheeler (DiCaprio and Winslet) are a couple struggling with every day problems in the 1950’s. Frank works in the city at a job he can’t stand. April stays at home with two children she’s not sure she wanted in the first place. Filling the “happy little family” picture is near impossible for this couple. When April offers up a hopeful and exciting solution, audiences know that it’s too good to be true. "Revolutionary Road" is a somewhat depressing movie about the struggles of marriage, family, career and the sometimes-impossible task of balancing it all.
Lessons from "Revolutionary Road"
These might be lessons audiences have already learned, but "Revolutionary Road" brings up topics and situations that many families and couples even today are struggling with. It doesn’t hurt to engage with these characters and use the movie as an opportunity to have some real discussions.
Balancing the Needs and Demands of a Career
Jobs are necessary for paying the bills. But as Frank experiences in the movie, it’s not worth working at a job you hate. It’s important to weigh financial demands with emotional needs. If working at a job leaves you exhausted and depressed with life, it may not be worth it. Sometimes it’s necessary to take a job to pay the bills, but this movie challenges audiences to ask: are you happy with your job? Is it worth keeping? At what point does a job lose its value?
Marriage Takes Work and Communication
No marriage is perfect. When two people join two separate lives together, conflict is sure to arise. Communication is the key to identifying and resolving conflict before it becomes too big to handle. Avoid the 1950’s style of avoiding anything unpleasant. It eventually catches up with you.
Family Planning
Unplanned pregnancies can definitely put a hamper on life. As a couple, where do you stand on family planning? This movie forces audiences to consider the topic. At what point does having children go from being a blessing to a burden. The movie also incorporate some strong emotions regarding abortion.
It’s Never too Late to Change
Before getting stuck in a rut, make changes. When an opportunity arises to make your life better, take it. Staying in the life that’s comfortable yet painful will only lead to misery. "Revolutionary Road" inspires audiences to think about the potential adventures in their own lives. What could you do today to change your life forever? Quit your job? Move? Take a risk and get out of the rut. As Frank and April learn, there are consequences to choosing to stay in a miserable boring world.
Movies are a great medium for bringing up topics that might otherwise seem obvious or even challenging. Use "Revolutionary Road" to bring up topics about marriage, career, family, and day-to-day struggles.
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