Road To Perdition

This film was directed by Sam Mendes and without doubt was his finest direction since his "American Beauty" three years earlier

The film is set during the 1930's in the era of the great American depression and evolves around a hit man, Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) and his two sons, Michael Jnr (Tyler Hoechlin) and Peter (Liam Atkin) combining a close relationship to a surrogate father, an elderly Irish mob leader John Rooney (Paul Newman) who is also his boss.

Michael Sullivan's eldest son, thirteen year old Michael Jnr; ignorant as to how his father makes his money, accidentally witnesses a murder, committed by Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig), who is the son of his father's boss. His curiosity and desire to know the real truth about his father, now leaves him as a witness to a gang killing. Regrettably, the contract killer exposes young Michael's presence and he must be eliminated as an eyewitness, leaving Michael Sullivan torn between loyalties of protecting his eldest son or his Irish Mob employers.

This murder scene strikes at the heart of an innocent soul and it further creates numerous events that change the Sullivan's lives forever. The father and son subject matter that extends over this picture is so radically handed in its treatment that there is little room for spontaneity. The entire script has been very carefully written, and nearly all the dialogue is handled with great significance. The acting from the entire cast is simply superb, with special mention going to the two malicious bad guys. Firstly, Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig) who portrays the typical man you love to hate, the spoiled, impulsive son of mob leader John Rooney, secondly, Harlen Maguire (Jude Law) as an especially slimy mischief-maker and killer, who goes in pursuit of the Sullivan's and figures very importantly in the film's riveting final phase.

There are some people who will say this is a gangster film, but I believe they missed the essence of the story. It is about a hit man who endeavours to protect his son from the life he chose.

The sets and the atmosphere of the period are perfectly created; editing and cinematography are virtually flawless while the story is well written, sad, poignant and emotional. To top it all, there is a striking music score running in the background with the sole purpose of intensifying the mood and is one of the most beautiful and stirring scores I've ever heard.

As my title suggests, I love Road To Perdition. A dramatic and heartfelt story about the bonding between father and son dominates throughout, as opposed to the gangster themes here. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig and Tyler Hoechlin are outstanding throughout this story set in the depression era, to show another set of rules, another way of life. I recommend beautiful story about loyalty, determination and redemption to everybody.

This film is based on the graphic novel of the same name.
The film looks fantastic, and captures the time to perfection, also the cold setting is brilliantly bleak. This is Tom Hank's darkest performance to date, playing a Mob hit man. But when his wife and youngest child are killed in a Mob hit, it's up to Hanks and his oldest son to dish out the revenge. Also look out for Daniel Craig playing a slime ball mob member, and a great performance by Paul Newman as the head of the family. Not forgetting Jude Law as the hit man assigned to hunt down and kill Hanks,who likes to photograph his victims, is also very creepy and darkly funny.
This film is a over looked Gem, and anybody who is a fan of gangster movies, and has not had the pleasure of watching this, is missing a excellent movie.
A brilliant story and a must buy!

One of the very best films around of its genre. Cannot be faulted in terms of art direction, narrative, acting and overall a complete story with a most satisfactory, inevitable ending. Hanks is a revelation in this and although he is cast against type he delivers. Sam Mendes whose work is superb at all times has directed a gangster story with a difference - the human element as told through the eyes of Michael Sullivan's son played by Tyler Hoecklin. How anyone can call this film slow or boring is beyond me. Lost out on Oscars though because it was in a tough year. It is a film that can be watched again and again. The art direction is par excellence.

A brilliant story, amazing directing, and superb cast make this one of the best films I have ever seen. It's so visualy stunning that I couldn't take my eyes off it, and the dark twists of the plot kept me hooked from the beginning right to the very end. Fantastic performances from an unexpected cast including Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law and Daniel Craig. Would highly recommend to anyone who likes gangster films, photography, or a good gripping story about revenge, betrayal and the moving relationship between a father and his son in 1930s America.