Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead)

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates (Titanic reunion!)

IMDB Plot: “A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children.”

Before its release this movie had a ton of awards buzz, but as soon as it came out it disappeared without much funfare. I remember reading a few reviews that dismissed the movie as overly depressing, and asserted that the story simply harped on old tropes  that have already been in explored in movie after movie without really adding any new insight. I disagree with these criticisms.

Whether the film is covering familiar ground or not, I really enjoyed it. I’ll admit that the characters are mostly just miserable people who feel trapped in this dull, soul-sucking representation of suburbia, but it’s the experience of watching how these characters interact, why they feel trapped, and what, if anything, they are trying to do to get out is what makes the film interesting. For me, the most brilliant part, and the character that makes the entire film work is John Givings, played brilliantly by Michael Shannon (who was the only member of the cast to recieve an oscar nomination for his work in the film).

Shannon plays a character who exists outside of the world that Leo and Kate are trying to escape from, or at least he is not bound by the same rules. Givings, the son of Kathy Bates’ character, is a man who was once a respected member of the community, but recently has spent time in and out of mental institutions where he has been subjected to the destructive practice of shock therapy. Essentially, he no longer feels the need to be “polite.” He’s not afraid to question why, when every one else in the story is. Givings shows up every once in a while throughout the narrative, and whenever he does he plays devil’s advocate to Leo and Kate’s troubled husband and wife by asking the questions and pointing out the contradictions that others are too polite, too afraid, or too blinded to point out.  He calls the characters out, and really cuts through the nonsense, forcing them to get to the heart of the matter. He is the catalyst that really keeps the film moving.

As dark as the subject material and plot points may be, if you approach the film intellectually, I think it is really very rewarding. Though its certainly not the most entertaining or uplifting film of the year.

Rent It if you feel like actually “thinking” about the movie you’re watching. I’ll also say, this is much better than The Reader.