Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Revolutionary Road World Premiere


A couple of days ago, my friend Melinda invited me to attend the world premiere of Sam Mendes's new film starring Kate Winslet and Leo di Caprio, Revolutionary Road, based on the novel by Richard Yates. I wore my Nina Ricci beige jacket with black pants, a delicate, shimmering seashell bracelet and MAC's Russian Red lipstick... It was nice to look good when I literally bumped into di Caprio in the lobby, as we reached for the same bag of popcorn - oops.
No movie had reached such a very intimate, personal place inside me since The Hours. More than a story about the hysteria brewing under suburbia's spick-and-span inertia, it is also a love story that takes you to the edge of madness, as the two characters are torn between a desire to take risks and live life at its most intense (Winslet) or to make do with what opportunities and soothing routines the life of a 1950's fedora-clad employee may bring (di Caprio). The emotions are raw, the dialogue is haunting.

If you want to read more about glamorous events and film, check out my coverage of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
Or see pictures of Winslet and di Caprio at the premiere here.

33 comments:

Joanna said...

Lucky girl! I am DYING to see this film! I just finished the book a few weeks ago and was blown away by its unabashed and raw portrayal of modern suburban life. Yates does a superb job in crafting characters whose passions, ideals, and choices most people can identify with. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Oh, and I think you meant to write "World" in the title of this post? I'm an over eager editor.

Joanna said...

P.S. Great review of the film, by the way.

Mary-Laure said...

JOANNA - Thank you SO MUCH for telling me about the typo, really, I am grateful...
Now that I saw the movie, I'm dying to read the book. After you see the movie, you must tell me whether you liked it!

mansuetude said...

nice but naughty & naughty but nice sounds naughty nice!

now i can't wait.

The Hours is still my last marker for a brilliant weaving of mind. I wonder if this book is less than the move, as The Hours fell flat for me as a novel after seeing the film. I don't know the writer at all.

Happy Naughty but Nice New Year... it could be a new slogan.

Anonymous said...

You mean you saw di Caprio???? Lucky you!

Laura in Paris said...

I love your Ninca Ricci jacket! It suits you so well!

Becky said...

I cannot wait to see that movie. I'm glad to hear you liked it.

Mary-Laure said...

MANSUETUDE - that is absolutely going to be our new slogan for 2009. It's official.
I couldn't agree more about The Hours. It seems the most memorable lines came from the screenplay (especially the scene between Leonard and Virginia at the train station), not the novel.
But I heard that Richard Yates's novel really is worth reading. I'll let you know.

DANA - yes, it was The di Caprio. He was standing right next to me at the concession stand.

bFLAT - you'll have to tell me how you liked the movie when you see it. I think it's coming out next week, Dec. 26.

Gabbi said...

can't wait to see that film, i love kate.

such a cute jacket and great celebrity encounter! i become a complete idiot whenever i run into a celebrity :)

Laura Neulat said...

THank you for the movie review Marylaure. I also loved The Hours, it's one of the rare movies (maybe the only one) I have in DVD.

Anonymous said...

Je n'ai pas vu Titanic mais Di Caprio est parfait dans le film "Diamonds blood" que j'ai vu a Singapour l'an dernier. Pour moi vieil "africain" c'etait tout a fait l'acteur qui rendait les situations credibles.
Donc apres Benicio del Toro a Cannes avec qui tu avais parle, voici Mr Di Caprio...Tu es gatee!

Anonymous said...

I always appreciate your commentary on films... I read loyally your annual coverage of the Cannes Film Festival. So insightful...

J. Elaine

Anonymous said...

I'll say only one thing: LL (which in case you wonder stands for lucky lady)

mansuetude said...

...also the last scene, the close ups at the table where the "party" was supposed to take place, it seemed so important. Not in the novel, either, i don't think. I love the train station scene, too.

Anonymous said...

I am going to a free screening this evening and now I can't wait, thanks so much for making it sound so enticing!!

Fifi Flowers said...

FUN! I love when things like that happen.
2 years ago I was at the theatre to see Edward Scissorhands... had a cough and needed water... went to the lobby and almost ran right into Johnny Depp... he gave me a good up an down look over... I loved it!

Candace said...

I don't know where to start. Truly.

Perhaps, I'll wait and tell you in person since my mind is swirling with thoughts.

I will say this. In addition to your intelligence and your eloquence, you are such an incredibly elegant and sophisticated lady. I cannot help but admire you.

::huge hugs::

Oh, and Benjy... Benjy is quite simply... special!

marie said...

cant wait to see it.. it dosnt come out for a month though :( thanks for the preview :)

Anonymous said...

sounds like it was fun. i love fancy events.. any reason to dress up...

l'air du temps said...

oh it sounds like a dream evening. so nice to get all dressed up, and even niiicccer to run into di Caprio. well done for a wonderful evening.

the film is starting here too soon. i'll get there as fast as i possibly can.

btw i just saw the film 'the reader.' if you haven't seen it, do stop in. it's incredibly good.

good weekend!

Anonymous said...

oh sounds like you were dressed so lovely...;)
and great to hear that you are continuing the fabulousness of attending film premieres...
nancy

artycho said...

Hey! Fancy bumping into di caprio!Lucky you!

Hila said...

oh you lucky lucky thing! I really want to see this movie - I saw quite a good review of it on TV the other day.
P.S. That is one cute jacket :)

Mary-Laure said...

JESSICA - enjoy! And tell us more...

MANSUETUDE - yes, that was also a great scene, when one finds out that Julianne Moore's character was actually the mother of the poet, such emotion.

FIFI - oh lucky LUCKY you, I just adore Johnny Depp; what did he look like? Was he alone?

CANDACE - you're making me blush!

L'AIR DU TEMPS - funny you should mention The Reader, because I just finished reading the book today. It was gripping and would love to see the movie, too.

Anonymous said...

Shall happily join the chorus of like souls here... can't wait to see this film.

Jill said...

oh, very cool! i keep meaning to read this book before i see the movie. a number of my friends are raving about the book.

Mary-Laure said...

JILL - actually, I am going to buy the book, too... Let me know if you read it and we can share our impressions.

Unknown said...

How fun, I actually just picked up the book so once I am finished I cannot wait to see it, and it sounds like I will be enjoying both from your great review. :)

So who got the popcorn;) ?

Alya said...

Oh you lucky thing! You got to see Di Caprio.. *shriek* !

Mary-Laure said...

LEIGH - well, we both went for a different bag of popcorn in the end. Isn't it fun that he would munch on popcorn at the world premiere of his own movie...?

muralimanohar said...

Ah..nothing like looking good when it is really important. :p DiCaprio is not my thing, but I do agree he does have an extra something worth the effort. :p

Topsy Turvy said...

Love your outfit! Looks like you're already taking LA by storm!

-Lana

Candace said...

Mary-Laure: Isn't it fun that he would munch on popcorn at the world premiere of his own movie...?

Candace: Munching on popcorn at the world premiere of one's movie is much more socially acceptable than biting nervously at one's fingernails.

::grin::