Dogwatcher
23 Apr 2003, 14:51
The Road to Perdition is a stylish look into the heart of lost youth.
Directed by American Beauty’s Sam Mendes, Road to Perdition stars Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and newcomer Tyler Hoechlin.
Mike Sullivan (Hanks) works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney (Newman). Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure.
However after Sullivan’s son Michael Junior witnesses his grisly work, his family life changes dramatically and results in the familial pair going on the ‘lamb’ in what becomes a father-son road trip.
Jude Law co stars as a chillingly artistic hit man hired to kill Sullivan.
Mendes’ set work and sound tracking really give this film a tragic and chilling context.
The sounds of the waves washing on to the shore in the final scenes tell an amazing story.
Hanks performs in an understated fashion, much as a Mafia hitman should.
He goes about his business with a fluidity and decisiveness that you know would scare any person who was confronted by him.
Newman is chilling and it seems the older this great actor gets, the more convincing he is as a ‘bad guy’.
The tale of Irish Mafia has been explored in other films, most notably Miller’s Crossing, but the style of Road to Perdition is calculated for maximum effect.
Another positive is the excellent performance of Law. He could have allowed his ‘pretty boy’ looks take over the show, but to his credit Law played his disreputable character with commendable restraint.
Road to Perdition has all the hallmarks of a film that will be watched and revered for generations to come.
Rating 4.5/5
Directed by American Beauty’s Sam Mendes, Road to Perdition stars Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and newcomer Tyler Hoechlin.
Mike Sullivan (Hanks) works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney (Newman). Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure.
However after Sullivan’s son Michael Junior witnesses his grisly work, his family life changes dramatically and results in the familial pair going on the ‘lamb’ in what becomes a father-son road trip.
Jude Law co stars as a chillingly artistic hit man hired to kill Sullivan.
Mendes’ set work and sound tracking really give this film a tragic and chilling context.
The sounds of the waves washing on to the shore in the final scenes tell an amazing story.
Hanks performs in an understated fashion, much as a Mafia hitman should.
He goes about his business with a fluidity and decisiveness that you know would scare any person who was confronted by him.
Newman is chilling and it seems the older this great actor gets, the more convincing he is as a ‘bad guy’.
The tale of Irish Mafia has been explored in other films, most notably Miller’s Crossing, but the style of Road to Perdition is calculated for maximum effect.
Another positive is the excellent performance of Law. He could have allowed his ‘pretty boy’ looks take over the show, but to his credit Law played his disreputable character with commendable restraint.
Road to Perdition has all the hallmarks of a film that will be watched and revered for generations to come.
Rating 4.5/5