Kingdom Harbor

If you like fun, action packed thrillers or light-hearted, heart-warming romantic comedies, then Revolutionary Road (2008) is definitely NOT for you.  However, if you like well-acted, deeply moving stories that tackle the deeper issues of life such as the search for personal happiness and purpose, finding meaning and contentment in one’s current lot in life, the struggles of marriage and raising a family, the tension between chasing one’s dream and settling down and being responsible — then you will enjoy Revolutionary Road starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Warning: This movie is painfully real and punches the viewer in the gut several times over.  It is also R-rated with plenty of adult content. But before you rule it out as a complete downer, I must say that the plot includes enough hopeful moments to keep you cheering them on in their roller coaster ride. Winslet and DiCaprio are fantastic.  Here’s a plot summary:

It’s 1955. Frank and April Wheeler, in the seventh year of their marriage, have fallen into a life that appears to most as being perfect. They live in the Connecticut suburbs with two young children. Frank commutes to New York City where he works in an office job while April stays at home as a housewife. But they’re not happy. April has forgone her dream of becoming an actress, and Frank hates his job – one where he places little effort – although he has never figured out what his passion in life is. One day, April suggests that they move to Paris – a city where Frank visited during the war and loved, but where April has never been – as a means to rejuvenate their life.

I don’t typically spend time reviewing movies.  Why this one?  This movie tapped into some core truths of the human condition, and my spiritual and pastoral senses were fully engaged in this young couple’s struggles throughout.  This movie could be used as a powerful teaching tool in a variety of pastoral or teaching contexts.  Here are the main points of interest for me in this movie:

1. Don’t Buy into the American Dream. Frank and April are surrounded by people who are “settling” for a mundane, shallow day-to-day existence of just getting by.  This movie powerfully shows how so many people who have supposedly “made it” and should be happy (stable job, nice house, couple kids, picket fence and dog) are really empty inside.  But few are aware or willing to admit it and do something about it.  I was cheering Frank and April on as they shocked their neighbors with their “immature” plan to abruptly sell their house, pick up and move to Paris for a change.  But who “wins” in the end?  Is it the safe, comfortable yet unfulfilled person who never took a chance?  Or is it the dreamer or adventurer who “went for it” but ended up getting burned in the end?  How do we define success?  

2. Self-Centered Individualism. This story focuses on Frank and April and their struggle to hang on to their dreams, their sanity and their marriage.  You only see a couple glimpses of their children during the film.  Both spouses are incredibly wrapped up in their own issues to the point of ignoring, neglecting and ultimately failing to provide the love and attention the others need.  Children are clearly portrayed as inconveniences in the way of these two parents trying to discover who they are. Just how far will these two go in order to make sure their own children don’t spoil their plans for the future? 

3. Jobs and Vocations. Many people will relate to Frank’s frustration and boredom at the work place.  He has a stable income that pays the bills and puts food on the table.  This movie is set in 1955, not too long after the Great Depression, and so many were grateful to have that much. However, Frank desires to find his passion and calling.  He’s about to turn 30 and doesn’t want to just punch a clock for the next 30 years.  The plot brings out this strong tension in the human soul between being comfortable and secure on the one hand AND being fulfilled on the other.  And what does a 30 year old man do when he still hasn’t found his unique passion and gifting?  

4.  Relationships are Tough.  This movie is gold for any marriage counselors looking for a test case or illustrations.  The acting is superb.  Both April and Frank have major personal issues to work through, and all of their unfinished “prickliness” repeatedly rubs up against each other, causing great sparks and horrific blow up arguments.  The viewer has trouble choosing sides, and has grown to love each of these broken people despite their many flaws and overt offenses, i.e., their many sins.  Many will relate to the way each person unfortunately takes out their bitterness and self-directed anger on the other person, crushing the one they love the most.  I was pulling my hair out, wanting to step into the movie in the middle of one of their verbal tirades, to say, “It is your personal issues that are tearing your relationship apart, not each other.”  But will they keep hurting the person they need most?  

5. Life Without God. In the end, the couple’s chances of surviving seemed very low from where I was sitting.  I think the film painted a painfully sad picture of human beings trying to do for themselves and be for the other something only God can do and be.  I saw God as the starting point for the solution for every single problem they were facing.  

• God gives each of us a meaningful purpose in life beyond the mundane.  
• God provides the antidote for a self-centered, individualistic outlook on life and love.
• The Bible provides the perfect model of marital health, fidelity and self-sacrificial love for one’s spouse.
• Jesus’ teaching provides a healthy approach to conflict resolution and anger management.
• God is the only true source of life, worth, value and hope; nothing else will fill that void — not spouse, career, success, etc.
• The American Dream is a myth that over-promises and under-delivers; far too many people still buy into it; but the Kingdom of God is the only reality worth giving one’s entire life to.  

So, if you’re looking for a serious, real-life story that doesn’t provide as escape from the real world but rather rubs your nose even deeper into its messiness, then Revolutionary Road is a great Red Box option for you this summer. Oh, and I would steer clear of it for a date night with your honey.  Keri wasn’t in the mood and was asleep after 10 minutes.