Road to Perdition

One of my favorite Tom Hank's films showcasing his character versatility. Add Paul Newman's and Daniel Craig's stellar performances and this movie is a 5 star. It doesnot glamorize the mafia lifestyle. A movie one can sink emotional teeth into. Great performances by all. Enjoyed the period scenery and music as well.

Wouldn't normally have watched a film like this but was asked to by a close friend. A little too violent for my taste, but it's necessary for the story line. A great story about father-son relationships. Tom Hanks is very believable as the main character. Cinematography is great. I am glad I bought it.

"Road to Perdition" is a beautifully crafted movie that clearly belongs on any list of "greatest" gangster movies. "Road to Perdition" features a superb cast, a thought-provoking and highly original premise, and a story line that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats for the film's entire two-hour running time."Road to Perdition" centers on a Prohibition-era, small-town Irish Mafia "family" of bootleggers, led by John Rooney (Paul Newman), an outwardly benevolent, aging patriarch whose genteel exterior masks a savage ruthlessness. Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is Rooney's chief "enforcer." Sullivan, quiet and tightly controlled, is a family man with young sons, twelve year-old Michael Junior (Tyler Hoechlin) and eight year-old Peter (Liam Aiken.)At the heart of "Road to Perdition" is an examination of father-and-son relationships. At the outset, there is a distant, aloof relationship between Sullivan and his oldest son Michael, and a much more demonstrative relationship between Sullivan and Peter. There is also a very close relationship between John Rooney and Sullivan; Rooney shows much more affection for his chief enforcer than he does for his own son and heir not-so-apparent, Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig).While Michael Sullivan Jr. struggles to understand why his father seems to love Peter more than him, an embittered, middle-aged Connor Rooney seethes with jealously as he watches his father give the senior Michael Sullivan the paternal affection that Connor feels rightfully belongs to him.How this drama between fathers and sons plays out forms the central plot of the film. Michael Jr. is curious to know what his father does for a living, so he stows away in the family car just as his father and Connor go on a routine "enforcement" mission. While hiding, the boy witnesses Connor and his father commit an act of murder.Sullivan and Connor quickly discover Michael Jr. hiding at the scene. Here is a golden opportunity for Connor to rid himself of his perceived rival for his father's affections! He orders a "hit" on Michael Sullivan, but the alert Sullivan adroitly avoids assassination. While this is going on, Connor visits the Sullivan home and murders Sullivan's wife and son... but it's the wrong son he kills. Now Connor must face the wrath of both Michael Sullivan and John Rooney.Michael Sullivan takes his son and leaves town, planning to avenge his family's murder. While he plots his revenge against the Rooneys, he seeks the protection of the Al Capone family in Chicago. Rebuffed by Capone's chief lieutenant, Frank Nitti (Stanley Tucci), Sullivan heads toward his sister-in-law's home at Perdition, a small lakeside town in the Midwest. Meanwhile, an eccentric but highly effective "hit man" named Maguire (Jude Law) has been retained by Nitti to deal with the Sullivans...Although "Road to Perdition" was first released in 2002, I only saw it for the very first time about two weeks ago. My initial reaction was that it is one of the finest "gangster" films I've ever seen, ranking alongside the likes of "The Godfather" trilogy, "Goodfellas," "Donnie Brasco," and "The Departed." The film is truly an artistic and technical triumph. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig, Stanley Tucci, and the then fifteen year-old newcomer Tyler Hoechlin all turn in remarkable performances. The screenplay, adapted by David Self from the graphic novel written by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner, is intelligent and thought provoking. The sets and costumes reflect a tremendous attention to detail. John L. Williams and Thomas Newman's musical score is sumptuous and always a perfect compliment to what's going on on the screen. And the late Conrad Hall's Academy Award-winning cinematography gives the movie a beautiful texture.There is a dank, rain-soaked pessimism that permeates "Road to Perdition." A gloominess fueled by a resignation that all the characters' lives are somehow consigned ahead of time to whatever Fate determines. Despite its outward melancholy, however, "Road to Perdition" still manages to retain a sense of optimism in the face of the most horrific of environments in which the characters find themselves. As the film's end credits rolled, I somehow found myself feeling good about the way "Road to Perdition" ended, and the overall message it conveyed to me...The Blu-ray version of "Road to Perdition" certainly does justice to this outstanding film. Video quality is exceptional. It faithfully conveys director Sam Mendes's and cinematographer Conrad Hall's artistic intentions. Video is clear and detailed, with just the right amount of grain. The DTS HD Master Audio Multichannel soundtrack fills the room with accurately placed dialog, explosive gunfire, and the beautiful music score.The Blu-ray disc contains many of the most popular "extras" that people have come to expect: director's commentary; a "Making of..." documentary; deleted scenes; production notes; and most notably a tribute to the late Conrad Hall.Although "Road to Perdition" may not appeal to every movie viewer's tastes, it is an extraordinary film that, in many ways, transcends the typical "gangster movie" genre. Highly recommended!

excellent story that stuck to the themes

The direction in this one seems to be focused on making a solid and good looking period piece but had little idea on what to do with the acting and the mobster side. As compelling as it is in the filming is lackluster in making it a compelling story because the folks in it, especially Hanks, just can’t pull it off as believable gangsters and why they would pick him for this type of role when he has a history of being anything but a gangster is just a head scratcher… and Newman also doesn’t work as the fearsome mob boss. The story was also weak and any comparisons made to The Godfather would have to be that it was a great mob flick and this one isn’t. it’s not about a great father/son relationship and the violence is really on the tame side but it was really nice to look at and some pretty good scenes but there was no suspense to it and even the ending was predictable. It just looked like everyone was told to not act better than Hanks and Tucci as Frank Nitti was so toned down it made him look pretty weak for what he really was at that time.

In 1988 I worked in the GM Building where the famous FAO Schwartz Toy Store was located. During this time, Tom Hanks was filming what would become his breakout movie role, "Big". I was able to watch through the lobby glass windows while they were setting up to film his famous "Heart and Soul" walking piano duet scene with Robert Loggia.During a break, I observed Tom Hanks sitting by himself next to the walking piano, seriously studying his script. I'll never forget the expression on his face...this was not the comedic Tom Hanks that I knew from previous movies and TV shows. With all the outside Fifth Avenue noises, all the people rushing around, a lot of curious bystanders, and even the music that FAO always had playing in their store, his concentration never waivered. I remember thinking to myself, "Well, this is a side of him you don't get to see all the time!" I was very impressed and felt that he was headed to great things with that kind of determination to block any distractions.When "Big" was released, I went to see it in a movie theater and found it wonderfully entertaining and light-hearted. I highly recommend you watch it if you can! I realized it took someone with that kind of ability to focus so well to make his role feel so effortless.Why did I write all of this for a review for "Road to Perdition"? Many previous reviews gave very detailed descriptions of the movie, unfortunately sometimes including spoilers, so I felt it wasn't necessary to repeat all that. Instead, I hope that if you are familiar with his comedic roles, you will watch Tom Hanks in this one that shows a side of him that may surprise you. I watched "Road to Perdition" when it first came out, and again recently. I was very impressed both times with the versatile actor that is Tom Hanks.

Tom Hanks has played many diverse roles in his career, from the AIDS-stricken lawyer in "Philadelphia" to the mutt-loathing cop of "Turner & Hooch".But few characters have been so at odds with his perceived good guy image as the gun-toting mob enforcer he plays in Sam Mendes' 1930s-set follow-up to "American Beauty".Devoted husband and father by day, implacable hit man by night, Michael Sullivan (Hanks) is a mystery to his oldest son, Michael Jr (Hoechlin)... until the boy follows him one evening and sees how he makes his living.Forced to go on the run, a family tragedy compels Sullivan to seek revenge against his boss (Newman) and the latter's unhinged son (Craig), while remaining one step ahead of the freelance assassin (Law) they've hired to kill him.Based on a graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, "Road to Perdition" is a powerful, atmospheric crime thriller that blends "Godfather"-style mayhem with philosophical meditations on the nature of good and evil, and the relationship between sons and their fathers.Perdition is another word for Hell, and thanks to cinematographer Conrad L Hall, there is no shortage of doom-laden symbolism here.Just in case you miss it, though, composer Thomas Newman hammers it home relentlessly with an intrusive, operatic score.But while the flick's portentous posturing occasionally grates, this is still a classy yarn that boasts a strong central performance from Hanks and a superb supporting one from Paul Newman

The very first thing that strikes you is the wonderful cinematography, especially the colour palette. It’s very atmospheric and pleasing on the eye. It reminded me immediately of Terrence Davies – ‘Distant Voices, Still Lives’ & ‘The Long Day Closes’ in its colour and the warmth that it brings to the viewer. You know, like those post war photos of mum & dad that looked almost painted on?Tom is his usual pragmatic self in what is a lovely story amid all the shooting and violence. The costumes from that ‘Great Depression’ era are just great; we even get to see the flappers wearing their cloches and those lovely flowing dresses at a jazz rave. The film deservedly won an Oscar for its cinematography.Paul Newman plays but a fleeting role compared to the baddy Daniel Craig. The film is very much about the relationship between father and son and is very touching without ever getting in any way sentimental.This is a high calibre film – beautifully shot, great wardrobe, superbly acted all round, a gripping storyline and a good finale. I recently viewed 'The Departed,' and felt this was far superior film in many ways.

This film with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, who could not act badly even if they tried, and with a brilliant 14 year old, Jude Law, is photographed with truly amazing style - beautiful to watch.All this massive talent is used to cover a banal script.This discrepancy between the fine acting, the brilliant filming and such a weak unconvincing story-line makes this movie almost memorable.

Love this film. The last movie that the great Paul Newman starred in. Quick delivery too.

Amazing period film! Changed my life!