Revolutionary Road

How this film uses it

The Wheelers see themselves as different from their neighbors, and that belief is what holds them back. Frank talks big about Paris and then grabs a safe promotion. Their idea of themselves as special is the thing that keeps them from changing.

Where to see it

The Paris plan falls apart: Frank is offered a promotion and April becomes pregnant again, and the next day Frank takes the promotion.

How this film uses it

The argument after the dinner with the Givings is where the marriage visibly breaks. Frank nearly attacks John, the Givings leave and April walks out into the night. You watch two people say what they cannot take back.

Where to see it

The Givings dinner: John lambasts Frank for crushing April's hope, Frank nearly attacks him, and then Frank and April have a fight.

How this film uses it

The Wheelers' house on Revolutionary Road looks perfect from the street. Inside, it holds the arguments, the pretending and the plans that go nowhere. The tidy suburban setting shows how stuck they are.

Where to see it

The move to 115 Revolutionary Road: The Wheelers settle into the suburban house when April becomes pregnant, and their troubled marriage starts there.

How this film uses it

After the fight, April makes breakfast as if nothing happened. She keeps up a calm, normal morning to hide what she is planning. Frank, who does not know what to say, plays along, and the pretending is more frightening than shouting.

Where to see it

The breakfast scene: Frank wakes to find April calmly making breakfast, eats with her and leaves for work, and April then goes to the bathroom.