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Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

Date: Feb 11 2009

Themes: History, Romance, Work

Grammar: Passive Voice

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

A decade after they stole our hearts with Titanic, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are starring in another movie together. But anyone expecting Titanic 2 is likely to be disappointed. In Revolutionary Road, Kate and Leo play an unhappy couple struggling to escape the monotony of suburbia. Despite their efforts to save their marriage, it’s as doomed as a sinking ship.

Revolutionary Road has gotten positive reviews from critics. Kate Winslet even earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film. But most people who’ve seen it say it’s hard to watch because the story is so sad. Listen to Devan tell Beren what award she thinks it should win.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Beren

Beren

Devan

Devan

Beren:  Devo, have you seen Revolutionary Road?

Devan:  I did. It should win the Oscar for most depressing movie of the year.

Beren:  Really? That’s what everybody is saying. They’re saying it’s really, really depressing. Nobody wants to go see a story about the American dream being shattered.

Devan:  It was really, really good, but I don’t whole-heartedly encourage people to see it, because it just…Anyone that’s ever lived or grew up in suburbia and, you know, anyone that has just some regular job that’s like being a slave to the daily grind...anyone who’s a homemaker or paper-pusher, you can relate to that movie. And it just…It’s just very sad. It’s just about this couple, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio...

Beren:  Oh back together! After Titanic...

Devan:  Yeah, they both like have big aspirations in life, and want to get out of America and go to Paris. But then they just start getting stuck in the monotony of life and start realizing that they aren’t achieving their dreams, and…you know…They just become despondent, and it hurts their relationship, and it’s just very sad.

Beren:  That’s a ringing endorsement. Thanks.

 

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Discussion

Even though Devan thinks Revolutionary Road is a well-made film, she doesn’t entirely recommend seeing it because it’s so depressing. She says it might be especially hard to watch for anyone who can identify with the main characters, who hate living in suburbia and wish they could escape the daily grind.

Beren is excited about the idea of seeing Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet star in a new movie together. In Revolutionary Road, they play a couple who have big dreams, which they never achieve. Devan explains that the film is not very romantic. In fact, it’s a tragic story. After hearing Devan’s description of the film, Beren isn’t sure she wants to see it.

Would you like to see a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in it, even if it’s sad? Have you ever wanted to escape the daily grind?

 

Comments

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India

still i dint see the movie but my life is going on happy…before i like sad songs….

12:52 PM Apr 19 2012 |

henry11

henry11

China

Cool

05:05 AM Apr 14 2012 |

erhan-ar

Turkey

I havent watched that film. It is said that the film was depresing.But ı want watch it.life isnt always so good.First of all we should know how to be happy and struggle to find solitions our problems.

10:55 AM Oct 30 2011 |

weiniland

weiniland

China

I like this movie,since i can totally relate to it.

04:32 AM Sep 10 2011 |

Amo0ol

Amo0ol

Saudi Arabia

i don’t like it is To overreact and it makes me sad

10:18 PM Jun 19 2011 |

keronil

keronil

Germany

It is great movie about drama and a person who fall in love with girl. I had seen this movie twice. 

08:35 AM Mar 21 2011 |

Kotisha

Kotisha

Russian Federation

I`m going to see this moovie tonight with my boyfriend! I want him to watch it. I suppose that nowadays many people face lots of problems, especially when young people date! And no doubt it will be useful for them to see it! i don`t care that this film has a sad endding… I think that such kind of films make you think about yourself, about your attitude to other people… To my mind it`s worth seeing!

 

03:16 PM Aug 22 2010 |

ahgulef

ahgulef

Algeria

Today we are here ..and After who knows !

10:12 AM Jun 30 2010 |

Phuongnguyen

Viet Nam

I saw this film with the person I really love long time ago. Its really very very sad. their dream shatter and my dream is over also.

12:18 PM Apr 13 2010 |

Julie0719

Taiwan

I like the actors in this movie like Beren.

But I dont like the sad movie.

So I don't want to see this movie.

It's a pity~

03:12 PM Jun 25 2009 |

dpsdarcy

dpsdarcy

Brazil

I have't seen this movie yet, but I'm curious about

12:22 PM May 19 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

I thinks cool some DiCaprio’s films,kind Titanic,The Aviator,New York Gangs…This I not yet saw,I don’t like a lot of Drama films…

12:03 AM Feb 18 2009 |

Miss_gorgeous

United Arab Emirates

I REALY LIKE BOTH ACTORS ,BUT IF ITS GOING TO BE A SAD ENDING I WONT WATCH IT AT ALL.. I PREFER HAPPY ENDING..

 

THANKS ANYWAY..

BYE

07:40 AM Feb 17 2009 |

helcheng

helcheng

China

I haven't seen this movie! My favourite movie is Forrest Gump which I think can bring hope to the people. I like this kind of movie. Howerver I don't think people should just watch the movies with good ending. Life isn't always happy to us, sometimes it is cruel. We should learn how to overcome the difficulties in our life and be happy.  How to be happier in our life sometimes is really hard for us.

12:58 AM Feb 17 2009 |

FelixFelicis

Italy

This film is good.

When I was watching it, I thought it was great, then I came home and asked myself how would it  be without Leo and Kate. I mean, most of the beauty of this movie (a good 90%) comes from their performances. The screenplay is not so good…

03:58 PM Feb 16 2009 |

phonelady

phonelady

Bulgaria

I expected more

 

10:40 PM Feb 15 2009 |

adhito

adhito

Indonesia

the movie is superb.

i love this movie.

Kate Winslet bring best performance.

sad this film snub at the oscar.

06:15 PM Feb 13 2009 |

adyy561

adyy561

China

I like this film, but i don't like the sad $ bad ending.

02:41 AM Feb 13 2009 |

EstebanM

EstebanM

Colombia

The movie is really good, but I must recommend the novel, that ismore good than the adaptation made by Mr. Mendes.

11:02 PM Feb 12 2009 |

Maplewei

Maplewei

China

I think you are right.The sad movie can make us to learn how is oppressive life.Movie is not just funny but make us to learn something for our work and others.

10:47 AM Feb 12 2009 |

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