Directed by Sam Mendes and based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner, the Depression-era crime epic ROAD TO PERDITION stars Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan, a quiet hit man who is duty bound to Mafia boss John Rooney (Paul Newman). The mobster's close bond with Sullivan, however, leads Rooney's .. Read more
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Paul Newman, Jude Law |
|---|---|
| Director | Sam Mendes |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller |
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Directed by Sam Mendes and based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner, the Depression-era crime epic ROAD TO PERDITION stars Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan, a quiet hit man who is duty bound to Mafia boss John Rooney (Paul Newman). The mobster's close bond with Sullivan, however, leads Rooney's jealous blood son, Connor (Daniel Craig), to orchestrate a tragic series of events that results in Sullivan on the run with his 12-year-old son, Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin). Soon an unscrupulous crime photographer/assassin named Maguire (Jude Law) is sent after Sullivan and his son, and Sullivan must decide on a course of action as young Michael comes to terms with his father's violent way of life.
Meticulously directed by Mendes and brilliantly photographed by Conrad Hall, each scene of ROAD TO PERDITION has the composition of an expertly rendered painting. Making effective use of rain, snow, and shadows, the filmmakers create a cinematic world that's as dark, cold, and unforgiving as many of its inhabitants. But the film also allows for glimpses of emotional warmth, particularly in Sullivan's relationships with his son and Rooney, his surrogate father. In these roles, the respective actors create complex characters that resonate even in their restraint; Hanks is outstanding as a man of action with little time for words, while newcomer Hoechlin creates an unsentimental portrait of a confused boy, and Newman once again proves why he's a screen legend. And, in a strikingly unflattering role, Law makes the most out of his screen time as a creepy, parasitic hit man. Even in its harshest moments, however, Mendes never fails to remind the audience that ROAD TO PERDITION is a film about fathers and sons; and this is what elevates it from an atmospheric gangster movie to a truly astonishing work of art.
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stanley Tucci, Dylan Baker, Liam Aiken |
|---|---|
| Director | Sam Mendes |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 52 mins Blu-ray: 1 hr 57 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English Blu-ray: English |
| Subtitles | Blu-ray: English |
| Released | Production year: 2002 To Rent: DVD: not available Blu-ray: Not available for rental To Buy: DVD: 17 Mar 2003 |
Visually splendid crime thriller, with a balletic finale in the rain; but the approach is too ponderous to be entirely engaging and Hanks makes an unconvincing killer.
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And Daniel Craig was very good too!
Intelligent and thought provoking and, with the exception of Jude Law's over the top hitman, very well acted. Newman as always is brilliant as is Tom Hank&#... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
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Sound gangster movie with many great aspects
A thoroughly entertaining gangster movie which I believe, for different reasons, rivals Goodfellas in certain aspects. The first highlight of Road to Perdition ... read more »
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Road to Perdition
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
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Dark Drama
Enjoyable black drama. A high quality cast playing out against the backdrop of the American Depression and Prohibition mob activity. A father has to make some ... read more »
Kate Winslet was desperate to work with her husband Sam Mendes on a movie project after Tom Hanks lavished praise on the filmmaker. Hanks worked with the director on 2002 drama Road To Perdition and was so thrilled by the experience, he urged Winslet to star in one of her spouse's movies. But the actress failed to find a film she and Mendes could collaborate on - until she came across the script for Revolutionary Road. She says, "Wonderful actors like Tom Hanks would tell me that Sam was so... Read more
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