With Leicester Square brimming with screaming fans rivalling even Robert Pattinson’s harem - it seemed that Titanic afficionados everywhere had come together, having saved their last breaths of devotion for the entire twelve year span between Titanic and Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's reunion in Revolutionary Road. Judging by the posterage lining the red carpet – with plenty of “I Heart Leo” signs dotted around - the now-adult crowd who adored Di Caprio as a teen seem to have seen no diminution in their affections, and will be sad to know that once again their beloved Kate and Leo come to a somewhat sorry end.
Revolutionary Road explores quite possibly everything that could go wrong in a relationship: the loss of hope, the stark realization of mediocrity, and the destruction of the cookie cutter ideal. Set against the backdrop of a burgeoning consumerism in 1950s suburban America, it tells the story of a young couple, the Wheelers. Wife April, once an idealistic wannabe actress, is now a stay-at-home mum, whilst her husband Frank follows his father’s footsteps (against his own better judgment and desires) in making his way as a salesman. With an idealistic plan to abandon the chocolate-box lifestyle and make a life-changing move to Paris to “find themselves,” the couple learn that there is more tying them to the life they have formed than they initially imagined.
All eyes were on the self- proclaimed “best friends” Kate and Leo, looking like the dream Hollywood couple, apart from that teensy little detail of Kate’s marriage to the director of the film, Sam Mendes. Leo kindly addressed the issue of having to kiss his good friend in front of her husband: “You know, I was entirely too used to it after doing that film with her ten years ago, so to me it was completely natural. I mean, I get asked a lot what was it like with her husband there, but I have to say I was entirely comfortable with it - it felt like a family, a sort of weird, twisted family atmosphere.”
Leo was a gentleman when talking about his beloved friend of thirteen years: “She hasn’t changed, not at all. She is one of the most real people I have ever met, and such a great friend.”
He did note that the pair have changed in one way since they met however: “We’re no longer young twenty year olds looking up to directors and producers as parental figures; we’re now adults taking command of our careers in a different way.”
He was especially proud of Winslet's recent achievements at the Golden Globes and was hopeful for her chances of winning an Oscar. “She is well deserved of that. She has been nominated so many times, and she has such a talent and is able to convey so much complexity in her performances, it is long overdue.”
Winslet was reticent, however, in discussing her chances at the upcoming BAFTAs and Academy Awards, but did tell us about her disbelief and excitement at her recent double win at the Golden Globes: “I was completely shocked and overwhelmed and did not expect to win both of those awards. I have never won before, so you can’t imagine how overwhelming that moment is and was for me.
But it was the film that was her pride and joy on the night: “This film was extremely important to me - very, very close to my heart. I spent four years waiting to see it get made, and so to be able to be here tonight with Leo in this kind of reception, it does feel really special.”