Image: Zuma Press

I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this movie, but I have to say that I was extremely impressed.  The movie uses the art of conversation to expose insecurities and confusion that arise in a marriage.  I felt that the film was almost Shakespearean in the way that the archetypal characters delivered heart-wrenching monologues expressing frustration and confused emotions.  The characters and their interactions were truly brilliant.  A mentally ill neighbor pops in at key moments and delivers lines of brutal honesty to the couple about the lack of truthfulness and happiness in their relationship.

Although the movie is depressing in its portrayal of married life, it does expose the real challenges that men and women face when they find themselves trapped in a life of mortages, child-rearing, monotonous work days, and household chores.

If you are in a serious relationship, I strongly recommend watching this movie with your significant other or spouse and having a conversation about it.  Your reactions to the characters may bring ideas to the surface that would be worthwhile to discuss.  The movie brings up issues about the difference between male and female roles in a family and the contrast between emotional detachment and complete expression of extreme emotions.

Just as the characters in Revolutionary Road struggle with communication in their relationship, I encourage movie-watchers to explore the best ways to communicate with their partner in order to understand and help one another when they are going through a difficult or transitional period.  Successful communication is the key to a healthy and balanced relationship.

Revolutionary Road is now available on DVD.

Post from: Blisstree

Revolutionary Road: Relationship on Film

December’s issue of Vanity Fair had this great story on Kate. She was photographed draped over some furry coat wearing nothing more than hairspray and shoes and looking good enough to hang on the wall. She’s the mother of two – Mia, 8, and Joe, 5 – and I love-love that she drops the F-bomb all the time. Let’s be honest, as a mother, if you’re not saying the word, you surely are thinking it.

But what I most related to was that despite all her accomplishments, she still feels like the other moms at her kids’ school are staring at her and judging her. Here’s an excerpt:

“You know, these mothers are going to read this article and they’re all absolutely great, but I know when I walk into that classroom in the morning, even if it’s for a split second, at some point I’m being checked out. And some of them will even say to me, ‘O.K., what’s the secret with the skin?’ At which point I’m like, ‘Oh my God, there’s no secret. I have makeup on. And by the way, since I turned 30, I’ve had an acne problem on my chin. I’m just like everybody else—I just know how to cover it. If you’d like me to show you how, I’d be more than happy.’ ”

I’m not sure I could handle makeup tips from Kate, but I’m all about getting the kids together while we hang out with some cocktails and toss out cuss words. Now that would rock.

What about you? Who tops your “mom idol” list?

Post from: Blisstree

Kate Winslet is my ‘Mom Idol.’ Who is yours?