Comments on: Feminism and Revolutionary Road http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/ from a feminist perspective Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:14:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Denice Ann Evans http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1496 Denice Ann Evans Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:24:44 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1496 Check out my new documentary on the college hook up culture! Check out my new documentary on the college hook up culture!

]]> By: Denice Ann Evans http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1495 Denice Ann Evans Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:24:04 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1495 I was disappointed with Revolutionary Road. Kate and Leo seemed like two characters over acting and over annunciating in a very intense play. Most of the scenes were closely shot in just a few different closed in locations. It felt very suffocating, which was probably Sam Mendes idea, but it didn't help me to understand the characters any better. I never got the sense of knowing them at all. They were more like caricatures of an unhappy suburban couple from that era, than two real people with real issues. The supporting cast was far more interesting. Also, I really find the whole dysfunctional married couple who live separate lives, have affairs, and wake up one day to realize they are miserable and their marriage is a sham, story line so incredibly tiresome and, dare I say, incredibly OVERDONE. I don't care what era they put this story into. In my opinion it is the same ole, same ole...who cares? I was disappointed with Revolutionary Road. Kate and Leo seemed like two characters over acting and over annunciating in a very intense play. Most of the scenes were closely shot in just a few different closed in locations. It felt very suffocating, which was probably Sam Mendes idea, but it didn’t help me to understand the characters any better. I never got the sense of knowing them at all. They were more like caricatures of an unhappy suburban couple from that era, than two real people with real issues. The supporting cast was far more interesting. Also, I really find the whole dysfunctional married couple who live separate lives, have affairs, and wake up one day to realize they are miserable and their marriage is a sham, story line so incredibly tiresome and, dare I say, incredibly OVERDONE. I don’t care what era they put this story into. In my opinion it is the same ole, same ole…who cares?

]]> By: jendra http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1280 jendra Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:06:07 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1280 I wish you had given us a spoiler alert on this post. :( I wish you had given us a spoiler alert on this post.

:(

]]> By: Melissa Silverstein http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1191 Melissa Silverstein Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:14:54 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1191 Great assessment. I loved 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days too. As well as Red Road. Both were brutal and Surprise bith were from other countries. It's hard to be attached to a film when the characters are so unlikeable. I think that's why Winslet's performances this year have been amazing. Neither April nor her Hannah from The Reader are likeable and she hits them both out of the park Great assessment. I loved 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days too. As well as Red Road. Both were brutal and Surprise bith were from other countries. It’s hard to be attached to a film when the characters are so unlikeable. I think that’s why Winslet’s performances this year have been amazing. Neither April nor her Hannah from The Reader are likeable and she hits them both out of the park

]]> By: e http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1142 e Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:03:39 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1142 As a feminist I wanted to be excited by this film —as I was last year by Cristian Mungiu’s "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"— and I’m struggling to make sense of my disappointment. Part of it was that I just couldn’t care about the two main characters. Would it have made a difference if the story was more about either one of them? Would it have made a difference if the story was less predictable and the dialogue less often on the nose? If a woman wrote the script (though I hate ‘pink’ and ‘blue’ thinking about scripts)? Would it have made a difference if the sex scenes were better? (I think I’ve been permanently spoilt as a sex scene viewer by the sex in Andrea Arnold’s "Red Road".) There was no moment where the central story affected me viscerally. But I want to salute the performances and the directing. Leo diCaprio with his workmates (especially with Dylan Baker who was great; and at the end of the last lunch scene when Dylan Baker makes a comment about the secretaries) and as he comes out of a room towards the end. Zoe Kazan (that look in the first scene in the lift!) and Michael Shannon as Kathy Bates’ son were so strong: I wanted to follow their stories instead of the one I was offered. Kathryn Hahn and David Harbour, whose relationship moved me, and who touched my heart as individuals. And Kathy Bates of course, what an amazing actor she is.: the scene where she drops round to see Kate Winslet is beautifully realized (by both of them) complete with that slurping tea sound. The performances kept me in the theatre when the story bored me. And Kate Winslet’s clothes: stunning, like her acting. As a feminist I wanted to be excited by this film —as I was last year by Cristian Mungiu’s “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”— and I’m struggling to make sense of my disappointment. Part of it was that I just couldn’t care about the two main characters. Would it have made a difference if the story was more about either one of them? Would it have made a difference if the story was less predictable and the dialogue less often on the nose? If a woman wrote the script (though I hate ‘pink’ and ‘blue’ thinking about scripts)? Would it have made a difference if the sex scenes were better? (I think I’ve been permanently spoilt as a sex scene viewer by the sex in Andrea Arnold’s “Red Road”.) There was no moment where the central story affected me viscerally.

But I want to salute the performances and the directing. Leo diCaprio with his workmates (especially with Dylan Baker who was great; and at the end of the last lunch scene when Dylan Baker makes a comment about the secretaries) and as he comes out of a room towards the end. Zoe Kazan (that look in the first scene in the lift!) and Michael Shannon as Kathy Bates’ son were so strong: I wanted to follow their stories instead of the one I was offered. Kathryn Hahn and David Harbour, whose relationship moved me, and who touched my heart as individuals. And Kathy Bates of course, what an amazing actor she is.: the scene where she drops round to see Kate Winslet is beautifully realized (by both of them) complete with that slurping tea sound. The performances kept me in the theatre when the story bored me. And Kate Winslet’s clothes: stunning, like her acting.

]]> By: Lenny http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1106 Lenny Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:47:00 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1106 I was very moved by this film. It made me wonder (and hope) that things have changed since the post WWII era. The pill wasn't invented until 1960, and so everybody came home from the war, got married, had 3 or 4 children, bought the suburban home, etc. etc. Then they wake up at age 30 and realize they are living some elses dream. Every day is exactly like the day before. The future looks like a big black hole. Hence, the 50%+ divorce rate. Very sad. I was very moved by this film. It made me wonder (and hope) that things have changed since the post WWII era. The pill wasn’t invented until 1960, and so everybody came home from the war, got married, had 3 or 4 children, bought the suburban home, etc. etc. Then they wake up at age 30 and realize they are living some elses dream. Every day is exactly like the day before. The future looks like a big black hole. Hence, the 50%+ divorce rate. Very sad.

]]> By: cg http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1060 cg Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:57:26 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1060 Although it was extremely well done, I found Revolutionary Road very depressing. Women have made tremendous progress, but there are many in this country who still think that role Kate Winslett played is the only place for women to be. We have to be vigilant that they don't sneak up behind us during the next few years. Although it was extremely well done, I found Revolutionary Road very depressing. Women have made tremendous progress, but there are many in this country who still think that role Kate Winslett played is the only place for women to be. We have to be vigilant that they don’t sneak up behind us during the next few years.

]]> By: eudemonix http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1050 eudemonix Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:41:15 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1050 Hi Jane Do you know about Stacey Parks and her Film Specific marketing services - http://www.FilmSpecific.com? As an indie filmmaker I've learned so much from her to lay alongside my experience and knowledge from other sources. So if you don't know about her yet, maybe there's some info she has that will help you position your film? (And I'm so pleased to know about you now, love what I learn on Women & Hollywood.) Good luck-- Hi Jane

Do you know about Stacey Parks and her Film Specific marketing services – http://www.FilmSpecific.com? As an indie filmmaker I’ve learned so much from her to lay alongside my experience and knowledge from other sources. So if you don’t know about her yet, maybe there’s some info she has that will help you position your film? (And I’m so pleased to know about you now, love what I learn on Women & Hollywood.) Good luck–

]]> By: JCK http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-1008 JCK Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:56:26 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-1008 I am dying to see this film. Dying. I loved what you said about it needing it be required viewing for young women who think that feminism is irrelevant. I am dying to see this film. Dying. I loved what you said about it needing it be required viewing for young women who think that feminism is irrelevant.

]]> By: Feminist Fatale » Popular culture teaching feminism http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-997 Feminist Fatale » Popular culture teaching feminism Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:51:19 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-997 [...] have not seen Revolutionary Road yet but Melisa Silverstein’s piece has me more excited than [...] [...] have not seen Revolutionary Road yet but Melisa Silverstein’s piece has me more excited than [...]

]]> By: Jane http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-986 Jane Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:01:31 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-986 I just came upon your blog. I am so happy to find it. I am a film producer with the same exact belief that films for women, about women and by women are consistently ignored and I'm tired of it too! I am in post production on a romantic drama that is great for a female audience and we are having a hard time positioning it. Thanks for bringing our plight to the forefront and providing this great forum. I went to the World Premiere of Revolutionary Road and I loved this film. Kate Winslet was wonderful and I actually have a blog entry on how amazing I found the dialogue to be (allaboutindiefilmmaking.blogspot.com). Good luck on the new site! Jane Kosek Wonder Ent. www.wonderentertainment.com I just came upon your blog. I am so happy to find it. I am a film producer with the same exact belief that films for women, about women and by women are consistently ignored and I’m tired of it too! I am in post production on a romantic drama that is great for a female audience and we are having a hard time positioning it. Thanks for bringing our plight to the forefront and providing this great forum. I went to the World Premiere of Revolutionary Road and I loved this film. Kate Winslet was wonderful and I actually have a blog entry on how amazing I found the dialogue to be (allaboutindiefilmmaking.blogspot.com). Good luck on the new site!
Jane Kosek
Wonder Ent.
http://www.wonderentertainment.com

]]> By: solshine7 http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-984 solshine7 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:33:25 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-984 The new site looks good. And I can't wait to see this film. The new site looks good. And I can’t wait to see this film.

]]> By: Deaf Brown Trash Punk http://womenandhollywood.com/2008/12/26/feminism-and-revolutionary-road/comment-page-1/#comment-981 Deaf Brown Trash Punk Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:36:25 +0000 http://www.womenandhollywood.com/?p=920#comment-981 Wow. Yeah, I want to see this movie so bad. I agree that Kate Winslet is the greatest actress of her generation. She's truly remarkable. I also want to see her in THE READER as well. Wow. Yeah, I want to see this movie so bad. I agree that Kate Winslet is the greatest actress of her generation. She’s truly remarkable. I also want to see her in THE READER as well.

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