Road To Perdition (capsule review)
Even without big-name actors, Sam Mendes' directorial follow-up to his Oscar-winning American Beauty would have received plenty of attention. Add an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law, and you've got a must-see flick. And that's not even taking into account the Oscar buzz and comparisons to The Godfather Trilogy.
Road To Perdition's central focus is the father-son relationship between Michael Sullivan (Hanks) and his son Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin, in a highly impressive breakout performance). Sullivan has always kept his son at arm's length, focusing on running "dangerous" errands for his mobster boss and surrogate father John Rooney (Newman).
Sullivan's family life takes a dramatic turn when his son follows him on an "assignment" and witnesses the murderous bloodbath that follows. In a harrowing sequence of events, Michael and son find themselves on the run from Rooney's henchmen and a hired assassin (Jude Law).
The film addresses a number of weighty issues, and Mendes' direction proves impressive throughout. Hanks' is mesmerizing as he wrestles with one internal conflict after another. It's a spectacular high-wire act that rises above even Philadelphia and Saving Private Ryan to stand as the best perfomance of Hanks' career.
Newman matches Hanks' performance with a supporting turn worthy of a big-screen legend. The climactic showdown between Hanks and Newman, brilliantly staged in the pouring rain by Mendes and American Beauty cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, is a classic for the ages.
Road To Perdition, while not quite in the class of The Godfather Trilogy (no shame in that), is a great film in its own right and a surefire contender for one of 2002's best.
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
The film is probably too somber for heavy drinking, but its hardcore nature does give it the potential to be a good drinking flick.
Even having Jude Law and Paul Newman on hand can't overcome these two words: mob film.
Buy This Double-sided poster At AllPosters.com
Related Articles:
1) Top 10 Hanks Films
2) Cast Away
3) American Beauty
