From NetFlix:

Based on the novel by Richard Yates and set in the mid-1950s, this story helmed by Sam Mendes follows the Wheelers (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett, in a Golden Globe-winning role), a young couple in suburban Connecticut who tries desperately to confront the problems in their relationship while raising two children. Despite their best intentions, the couple’s intense arguments send them into a downward spiral. Michael Shannon co-stars in an Oscar-nominated role.

DiCaprio and Winslett are superb, but of the two, Winslett expresses such pain that her performance just soars. Michael Shannon as the unbalanced mathematician is memorable. Kathy Bates as his mother is good as usual. David Harbour, playing a neighbor who has the hots for Winslett, does his role well.

Beware: this is a very unhappy film. I’ll play Devil’s Advocate here, go out on a limb and say the unhappy couple brought their problems on themselves. Is the film’s thesis that we should never settle down into a solid, hopefully financially secure lifestyle until we have found our true selves and are living out our most cherished dreams ? True, not everyone loves his job. So why not do what the majority probably do, work at something not completely horrible and get another life outside of work ? Granted that is a bit difficult if you are working 60 hours a week. No, I cannot commiserate with this sad couple. I can feel their pain even if I do not agree with that pain.

Note how slyly the film tries to get us to agree with the thesis: at the end other neighbors in their own way indicate how they really hate their dull lives.

Would anyone out there care to champion this neurotic pair of souls ?