Miller's Crossing / Road To Perdition (DVD)

Advantages: Looks fantastic, acting is great, interesting story
Disadvantages: Slightly predictable towards the end

...For such a famous director, Sam Mendes has made very few films. Only two in fact; the multi-Oscar winning American Beauty and this 2002 follow-up, Road To Perdition. Although follow-up isn't really the right term, as this is completely different. I was surprised to find that this did not win any major Oscars, although it was nominated for about six, because it really is a brilliant film. I was also surprised that for such a great film, it was not advertised very well; I didn't really know anything about this film before I saw it, and I bet lots of people don't know about it at all, which is a shame. The story tells of a hit man for the Irish mafia, Mike Sullivan (played by Tom Hanks). He and his two sons have a close relationship with the godfather John Rooney (played by Paul Newman). Sullivan keeps his job a secret from his... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Every frame, virtually
Disadvantages: Far too superb for any

...This is not a Tom Hanks movie. If any of you have ever been put off by his presence in a film before, then cast that bias aside. This will change your opinion of the man completely, and you will be humming his praises as well as everything else about the flick. Tom Hanks plays a minor gangster, Michael Sullivan, in the US at the dawn of the 1930s. Now, none of us I am sure would have thought of casting him in such a role, unless one were deliberately gunning for those golden statuettes. But here any kind of grand-standing is knocked on the head, leaving a decent, assured performance. In appearance, he looks a lot bulkier than normal. Brilliantly, his dodgy moustache makes him look suitably macho at the beginning of the film, and immediately vulnerable when the time arises. And even more surprisingly, when he needs to be... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fantastic in parts.....
Disadvantages: .....but lacking in others.

...and visual imagery, but seems to be in desperate need of a viagra boost (the 100mg dose if possible) to give it that bit of oomph that could have set the screen alight, and the mind engaged and mesmerised. The story lacked any real twists (I worked out the ending a fair time before it unfolded in front of me, and I’m hardly the brightest of God’s creatures). The characters, on the whole, were crying out for that bit more to tackle and convey across, and despite some graphic violence scenes, the brutality of 1930’s American gangsters life was left looking somewhat whimpish. Really disappointing as the film’s other features and camera work deserved more. In summary, Road To Perdition is a good, decently directed movie. Excellent in parts, annoyingly wanton of more fat to chew in others. I have not seen American Beauty... Read review

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