Monday 25 January 2010

Good Film Vault: Road To Perdition (2002)


















By Andy Pountain

Underrated is a term i think is used too much when it comes to Movies. Road To Perdition is a tale of lost innocence, conflicting loyalty and ambition and is one film i would class as underrated and without question a classic gangster movie. Directed by Sam Mendes, American Beauty (1999), Jarhead (2005) & Revolutionary Road (2008) winner of one Academy Award (Best Cinematography) this is one film i have always been able to just sit down and watch regardless of the mood.

Tom Hanks is Michael Sullivan a local gangster hitman working for mafia boss John Rooney played by Paul Newman. Sullivan lives a normal family life until his 12 year old son Michael Sullivan JR. played by Tyler Hoeachlin accidently witnesses a brutal slaying during a typical job. The lives of the pair are changed forever and there paths are ultimately joined forever.

Tom Hanks once again delivers what you expect but also more, a dark vengeful hitman in a back and forth chase with Harlen Maguire played by Jude Law. Law's character in particular shines above everyone portraying a creepy assassin that wont stop at nothing until he completes his 'job' (I wont give to much away) this is a crime thriller that may in some places be a bit slow for some people but ultimately will have you glued to your seat.



Most noted for its cinematography (Winner Oscar 2002) there are countless memorable scenes where Mendes has took great detail in the camera work. One scene in particular the final scene of the movie really stook with me, again i will not go into detail but the camera work is very good. The soundtrack composed by Thomas Newman (The Shawshank Redemption 1994, American Beauty 1999) really adds to not only the whole atmosphere of the film but in my opinion the 1930's time setting.

Other great performances include Daniel Craig, portraying the jealous Connor Rooney, son of Mafia boss Paul Newman who plays John Rooney. Craig is very subtle but at the same time creepy and sinister, i would like to see Craig take on more roles like this in the future because in my opinion he has such a great range and is much more than James Bond.

Director Sam Mendes should without question go on to become one of the greatest directors of all time having only directed several films and already having an Oscar under his belt, directing Bond 23 should be interesting next year for him.

Road To Perdition will go down as a classic gangster movie, i believe as it gets older people will start to realize this, at least this brave soul is convinced.

IMDB Score: 7.8 My Score: 8.8
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2 comments:

  1. Adam26 January 2010 at 05:43

    great review. still got this downloaded from when you recommended it. defo gonna give it a watch soon

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tasha26 January 2010 at 10:22

    haven't seen it but i've always wanted to and your review makes me want to run home right now and watch it. literally, run. good job

    ReplyDelete

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