Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Revolutionary Road

33 replies

roseability · 02/02/2009 10:01

Just finished this wonderful piece of literature and can't wait to see the film

Touch a raw nerve with anyone? Feel trapped in mundane, suburban hell? Unfulfilled by motherhood and domesticity? Want to break out in a whim of creativity and individualism? Disillusioned with the Western dream of nice house, 2.4 children and well paid job? Did you identify with the characters?

Or were you unsympathetic with the characters? Are they selfish? Does to problem lie ultimately within their own marriage rather than the society they life in?

Duscussion mostly welcome!

OP posts:
hannahsaunt · 02/02/2009 14:12

I have neither seen the film nor read the book but do I need to having been gripped by Mad Men?

BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 14:07

I would say that, in the film, the themes of marriage breakdown and the disillusionment of motherhood are subordinate to the overarching theme of the conformity of suburban lifestyle and values.

Original poster
roseability · 02/02/2009 13:02

I thought other themes are explored as well. The breakdown of a marriage for one. Also I remember a thread on mumsnet a while ago about frustration and disillusionment with motherhood. The response was pretty significant. The whole idea that motherhood and domesticity aren't fulfilling enough is interesting and still relevant in modern society. This is one of the main themes in the book.

Frank feels April is somehow emotionally stunted because she wanted to abort two of her pregnancies. Yet she feels motherhood has thwarted her dreams. It is interesting the concept that fulfillment as a woman requires fertility and parenting. A lot of women struggle with identity following motherhood. But is this society's fault?

OP posts:
ruty · 02/02/2009 10:16

cosmo landesman said that post credit crunch the whole middle class disillusionment thing looks a bit spoilt. Haven't seen it though.

BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 10:16

No, I haven't read the book - rather for the same reasons I found the film dull I think - the theme of frustration in 1950s American suburbia is just too hackneyed for me to take. Though I know the book is supposed to be extremely well written.

Original poster
roseability · 02/02/2009 10:14

Did you read the book? I rarely find a film lives up to the book!

OP posts:
BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 10:03

The film is very dull (with the exception of Winslet's performance). Very hackneyed theme IMO.

Of course, I did actually move to Paris (and still live here) so perhaps I am not best placed to comment .

Original poster
roseability · 02/02/2009 10:02

sorry life should be replaced by live

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread