A film should be based on its performance on screen, not rated in association with what the book offers. I say this as I know many believe the book was more intellectually stimulating and adds value to the film - I haven't read it.
From a purely film perspective, it just seemed totally illogical that the father and son lived in relatively good condition (so much so that they could walk for miles and miles) whilst most of the country were starved to their bare bones. At times, for instance when Theron leaves the house, they claim it to be cold, yet she was dressed in one layer....why? If she'd lived like that for years, why did she suddenly feel "this is no way to live" - implying she craved the luxuries of life. These are questions that just annoy me and are by no means thought provoking.
Character-wise, I felt the film made the boy seemed irritating and stupidly cowardly for someone brought up in that world ("there's nothing you haven't seen before" the father says once).
For acting: Viggo - 8/10 Charlize - 9/10 Kodi - 4/10
One thing I will say is that The Road excels artistically in its portrayal of a life-less world full cannibalism and divided by good and evil (defined by the decision to eat a man to survive). It did make me feel like I was watching a moving picture in between frames, not a TV screen. A great achievement yet unsurprising coming from a Director who happens to be a painter as well.
From a purely film perspective, it just seemed totally illogical that the father and son lived in relatively good condition (so much so that they could walk for miles and miles) whilst most of the country were starved to their bare bones. At times, for instance when Theron leaves the house, they claim it to be cold, yet she was dressed in one layer....why? If she'd lived like that for years, why did she suddenly feel "this is no way to live" - implying she craved the luxuries of life. These are questions that just annoy me and are by no means thought provoking.
Character-wise, I felt the film made the boy seemed irritating and stupidly cowardly for someone brought up in that world ("there's nothing you haven't seen before" the father says once).
For acting: Viggo - 8/10 Charlize - 9/10 Kodi - 4/10
One thing I will say is that The Road excels artistically in its portrayal of a life-less world full cannibalism and divided by good and evil (defined by the decision to eat a man to survive). It did make me feel like I was watching a moving picture in between frames, not a TV screen. A great achievement yet unsurprising coming from a Director who happens to be a painter as well.