Sam Mendes is still one of the biggest directors in the world. Tom Hanks is still huge. Daniel Craig is still Bond. And Paul Newman's legacy is still held in high regard. Mendes assembles these actors in what appears to be just a traditional mafia/revenge film we have all seen before. It isn't. This has its very own identity.
Usually contemporary films set decades ago have a very vibrant look to them. Great amount of detail is placed into really selling the time period. If you look at something like "LA Confidential," it is extremely flashy. "Road To Perdition" is much more murky and somber. I may not like movies like this, but the dark look here did not bother me in the slightest. When we do see brightness and sunlight, it feels great.
Set in 1931, Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is the top hitman for mob boss, John Rooney (Paul Newman). John loves Mike more than his own son, Connor (Daniel Craig). At the end of his career before his death, Paul Newman was a scene-stealer in everything he did. This is no different. Well, Hanks really puts up a good fight.
Mike is married and has two sons. He loves them more than anything else in the world. His wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) may not like the business, but the love for her husband is unconditional. Mike's older son, Mike Jr., has a vague idea of what his father does and, one night, sneaks into his car to peek in on a job. When Mike Sr. Sees his son trying to flee, he swears his son to secrecy. Connor hates Mike and wants his son gone so he can't ever talk, so one night after another job, Connor murders Mike's wife and younger son, narrowly missing Mike Jr. So Mike takes his son on the road to his sister-in-law's house in Perdition. On the road, Mike steals and tries to get mob bosses to delete Connor and family. Meanwhile, Connor hires an outside hitman (Jude Law) to take out Mike.
Tom Hanks is a two-time Oscar winner with "Road To Perdition" being one of his five best. He gave the best performance in the film that I wish was remembered during the Oscars that year. His layered and subdued performance is top-notch.
"Road To Perdition" features great themes that have hardly ever been explored as well as here. John is Mike's father figure, but he loves his wife and sons more. And the theme of the cycle of violence is also expertly displayed. We all know the immortal quote "those that live by the sword shall die by the sword." Mike is a killer seeking revenge on killers. When will this all end? This leads to a shattering ending that fits perfectly. A happier ending would have ruined it all.
3.5/4.
Usually contemporary films set decades ago have a very vibrant look to them. Great amount of detail is placed into really selling the time period. If you look at something like "LA Confidential," it is extremely flashy. "Road To Perdition" is much more murky and somber. I may not like movies like this, but the dark look here did not bother me in the slightest. When we do see brightness and sunlight, it feels great.
Set in 1931, Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is the top hitman for mob boss, John Rooney (Paul Newman). John loves Mike more than his own son, Connor (Daniel Craig). At the end of his career before his death, Paul Newman was a scene-stealer in everything he did. This is no different. Well, Hanks really puts up a good fight.
Mike is married and has two sons. He loves them more than anything else in the world. His wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) may not like the business, but the love for her husband is unconditional. Mike's older son, Mike Jr., has a vague idea of what his father does and, one night, sneaks into his car to peek in on a job. When Mike Sr. Sees his son trying to flee, he swears his son to secrecy. Connor hates Mike and wants his son gone so he can't ever talk, so one night after another job, Connor murders Mike's wife and younger son, narrowly missing Mike Jr. So Mike takes his son on the road to his sister-in-law's house in Perdition. On the road, Mike steals and tries to get mob bosses to delete Connor and family. Meanwhile, Connor hires an outside hitman (Jude Law) to take out Mike.
Tom Hanks is a two-time Oscar winner with "Road To Perdition" being one of his five best. He gave the best performance in the film that I wish was remembered during the Oscars that year. His layered and subdued performance is top-notch.
"Road To Perdition" features great themes that have hardly ever been explored as well as here. John is Mike's father figure, but he loves his wife and sons more. And the theme of the cycle of violence is also expertly displayed. We all know the immortal quote "those that live by the sword shall die by the sword." Mike is a killer seeking revenge on killers. When will this all end? This leads to a shattering ending that fits perfectly. A happier ending would have ruined it all.
3.5/4.