1947
Frank and April Wheeler, a seemingly perfect couple in 1950s suburbia, find their marriage crumbling under the weight of unfulfilled dreams and the stifling conformity of their lives. April, an aspiring actress, proposes a move to Paris to escape their mundane existence, reigniting a spark of hope in Frank, who is trapped in a soul-crushing job at Knox Business Machines. However, Frank's unexpected promotion and April's unplanned pregnancy derail their plans, leading to escalating arguments and a growing chasm between them. As their relationship deteriorates, Frank has an affair with a colleague, and April, desperate to regain control, attempts to self-abort, leading to a tragic hemorrhage and her death. In the aftermath, Frank is left to raise their children, forever marked by the choices and compromises that shattered their revolutionary dreams on Revolutionary Road.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Frank and April Wheeler’s suburban existence unravels as they dream of escape, confront personal failures, and face the consequences of their choices.
Open full beat sheetFrank Wheeler is listed as Protagonist. Intelligent, good-looking, works at Knox Business Machines, struggles with suburban life and identity. In the parsed data, Frank Wheeler is connected to 81 scenes, 191 dialogue lines, 192 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
81 scenes / 191 dialogue linesApril Wheeler is listed as Protagonist. Patrician beauty, aspiring actress, wife of Frank, deeply unhappy with suburban life. In the parsed data, April Wheeler is connected to 59 scenes, 155 dialogue lines, 155 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
59 scenes / 155 dialogue linesShep Campbell is listed as Neighbor. Heavy-set, husband of Milly. In the parsed data, Shep Campbell is connected to 18 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
18 scenes / 36 dialogue linesMilly Campbell is listed as Neighbor. Determinedly bright, friend of the Wheelers. In the parsed data, Milly Campbell is connected to 12 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
12 scenes / 33 dialogue linesMrs. Givings is listed as Neighbor. Older woman, real estate agent, talkative, conventional. In the parsed data, Mrs. Givings is connected to 9 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
9 scenes / 27 dialogue linesJack Ordway is listed as Colleague. Tall, effete, works at Knox. In the parsed data, Jack Ordway is connected to 7 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
7 scenes / 19 dialogue linesJohn Givings is listed as Neighbor. Son of Mrs. Givings, institutionalized, intellectual, brutally honest. In the parsed data, John Givings is connected to 6 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 64.
6 scenes / 24 dialogue linesMaureen Grube is listed as Colleague. 23, sexy, works at Knox, has an affair with Frank. In the parsed data, Maureen Grube is connected to 6 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
6 scenes / 16 dialogue linesMr. Givings is listed as Neighbor. Husband of Mrs. Givings. In the parsed data, Mr. Givings is connected to 6 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 84.
6 scenes / 5 dialogue linesTed Bandy is listed as Superior. Tight, precise, branch manager at Knox. In the parsed data, Ted Bandy is connected to 3 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
3 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBart Pollock is listed as Superior. Massive man, politician-like, executive at Knox. In the parsed data, Bart Pollock is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 60.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesEstablishing shot of New York City at night.
Frank and April meet at a bohemian party.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank and April dance together.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank watches April's play, which is a disaster.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank encounters the Givings after the play.
Frank Wheeler, Mrs. GivingsApril cries alone after the play.
April WheelerFrank talks to the Campbells.
Frank Wheeler, Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellFrank and April argue about the play and going out.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank and April walk in silence.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank and April argue in the car.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank stops the car to confront April.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank and April continue their argument.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerThe argument escalates outside the car.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerThey sit in silence.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank leaves for work.
Frank WheelerApril watches Frank leave.
April WheelerFrank waits for the train.
Frank WheelerFrank reads on the train.
Frank WheelerCommuters exit the train.
Frank walks with the crowd.
Frank WheelerFrank arrives at Knox Headquarters.
Frank WheelerFrank rides the elevator with Maureen.
Frank Wheeler, Maureen GrubeFrank talks to Jack.
Frank Wheeler, Jack OrdwayApril does chores.
April WheelerFlashback to when the Wheelers first moved.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Mrs. GivingsBandy reprimands Frank.
Frank Wheeler, Ted BandyFrank discusses Bandy with Jack.
Frank Wheeler, Jack OrdwayFrank flirts with Maureen.
Frank Wheeler, Maureen GrubeFrank and Maureen have lunch.
Frank Wheeler, Maureen GrubeMrs. Givings visits April.
April Wheeler, Mrs. GivingsApril watches Mrs. Givings leave.
April WheelerFrank and Maureen continue drinking.
Frank Wheeler, Maureen GrubeApril looks through a cigar box.
April WheelerApril looks through a box of sentimental items from her past.
April WheelerFrank and April share a moment in their past apartment, discussing their dreams.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank leaves Maureen's apartment after their affair.
Frank Wheeler, Maureen GrubeFrank arrives home and is greeted by April.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerThe family celebrates a birthday.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank showers, trying to wash away the memory of Maureen.
Frank WheelerApril proposes the idea of moving to Paris to Frank.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank arrives at work with renewed energy.
Frank WheelerFrank dictates a letter, feeling detached from his job.
Frank Wheeler, Jack OrdwayApril picks up travel documents.
April WheelerFrank tells his colleagues about his plans to move to Paris.
Frank Wheeler, Jack OrdwayFrank observes the crowd with detachment.
Frank WheelerFrank feels alive on the train ride home.
Frank WheelerFrank arrives at his station.
Frank WheelerFrank and April reunite at home.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank and April tell their children about the move to Paris.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerShep prepares for the evening.
Shep CampbellMilly and Shep get ready.
Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellShep pours a beer.
Shep CampbellShep sees his sons watching TV.
Shep CampbellShep watches the Wheeler house.
Shep CampbellThe Wheelers tell the Campbells about their move to Paris.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellMilly and Shep discuss the Wheelers' plan.
Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellFrank and April discuss their feelings about the move.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank arrives at work to find Bart Pollock is there.
Frank Wheeler, Jack OrdwayBandy prepares to talk to Frank.
Ted BandyFrank is called into Bandy's office to meet Bart Pollock, who praises his recent work.
Frank Wheeler, Jack Ordway, Ted Bandy, Bart PollockFrank tells April about his meeting with Pollock and his disdain for the corporate world.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerThe Givings family arrives at the Wheeler house.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Mrs. Givings, John Givings, Mr. GivingsThe Wheelers host the Givings family; John Givings is introduced.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Mrs. Givings, John Givings, Mr. GivingsJohn Givings makes uncomfortable comments about the Wheelers and his own institutionalization.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Mrs. Givings, John Givings, Mr. GivingsFrank and April take John for a walk in the woods.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, John GivingsFrank and April reflect on John's honesty.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerBart Pollock tries to recruit Frank for his new team.
Frank Wheeler, Bart PollockFrank works late and encounters Maureen.
Frank Wheeler, Maureen GrubeApril reveals to Frank that she is pregnant.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank and April argue about the job offer while at the beach.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellApril and Frank argue about their future and the pregnancy.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank discovers a rubber syringe in the bathroom.
Frank WheelerFrank confronts April about the abortion syringe.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank watches April with the children.
Frank Wheeler, April WheelerFrank meets with Bart Pollock to keep his job.
Frank Wheeler, Bart PollockFrank's colleagues celebrate his decision to stay.
Frank Wheeler, Jack OrdwayThe Wheelers and Campbells go out for drinks.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellThe group prepares to leave.
Frank Wheeler, April Wheeler, Milly Campbell, Shep CampbellApril and Shep talk while waiting.
April Wheeler, Shep CampbellApril and Shep dance.
April Wheeler, Shep CampbellIt strikes me, that there's a considerable amount of bullshit going on here.... And there's one or two things I'd like to clear up. Number one, it's not my fault the play was lousy. Number two, it's sure as hell not my fault you didn't turn out to be an actress, and the sooner you get over that little piece of soap opera the better off we'll both be. Number three, I don't happen to fit the role of dumb, insensitive suburban husband; you've been trying to hang that one on me ever since we moved here. Number four -
I can't tell you how pleased I am about the little Revolutionary Road place, Howard. Remember how dreary it looked all winter? All cold and dark and -- well, spooky. Creepy-crawly. And now whenever I drive past, it gives me such a lift to see it all perked up and spanking clean again, with lights in the windows. And do you know, I was just thinking, I've loved that little house for years, and the Braces are the first really suitable people I've ever found for it. Really nice, congenial people, I mean.
You want to know the worst part? Our whole existence here is based on this great premise that we're somehow very special and superior to the whole thing, and you know what I've realized...? We're not! We're just like everyone else. Look at us! We've bought into the same ridiculous delusion. This idea that you have to resign from life and settle down the moment you have children. And we've been punishing each other for it.
Right... Sorry, sorry, sorry! Okay Ma? Have I said 'Sorry' enough times? I am sorry, too. Damn; I bet I'm just about the sorriest bastard I know. Course, get right down to it, I don't have a whole hell of a lot to be glad about, do I?
A man only gets a couple chances in life. If he doesn't grab 'em by the balls, it won't be long before he finds himself sitting around wondering how he got to be second rate.
What happened, Frank? You get cold feet, or what? You decide you're better off here after all? You figure it's more comfy here in the old Hopeless Emptiness after all, or --
Yes. I thought you'd probably want a good breakfast today. I mean it's kind of an important day for you, isn't it? Isn't this the day you have your conference with Pollock?
Baby, I don't know. I think it was a simple case of wanting to be a man again after all that abortion business. Some kind of neurotic, irrational need to prove something.
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