... 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, ... Read review
A movie with an impeccable pedigree,Road to Perditionis director Sam Mendes' impressive ... more
follow-up toAmerican Beauty, and features remarkable contributions from veteran cinematographer Conrad Hall, composer Thomas Newman and a cast of thespian brillianc...
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He shouldn't have been there. But in the moment that Michael Sullivan's son witnessed a ... more
brutal slaying, the lives of this 12 year old and his gangster father are shattered irrevocably. Now, targeted by the mob he's devoted his life to, Sullivan and his...
Rock Island 1931 Wake Just the Feller Mr. Rance Bit Borrowers Murder (In Four Parts) Road ... more
to Chicago Reading Room Someday Sweetheart Meet Maguire Blood Dog Fin McGovern Farm Dirty Money Rain Hammers Blind Eye Nothing to Trade Queer Notions - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra Virgin Mary Shoot the Dead Grave Drive Cathedral - Choir of King's College There'll Be Some Changes Made - Chicago Rhythm Kings Ghosts Lexington Hotel Room 1432 Road to Perdition Perdition - Tom Hanks
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Road To Perdition:He shouldn't have been there. But in the moment that Michael Sullivan's ... more
son witnesses a brutal slaying, the lives of this 12-year-old and his gangster father are shattered irrevocably and their destinies forever joined. Now, targeted by the mob he's devoted his life to, Sullivan and his son find themselves with nowhere to turn and a sadistic killer in relentless pursuit. It's here - in a fierce and primal struggle to stay alive and protect his boy - that this lifelong gangster will discover honour and redemption. Riveting, powerful and visually stunning, Road to Perdition ranks among the classic gangster movies of all time. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law are unforgettable as desperate men with everything at stake. Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes brings this haunting vision to a hard-edge story of lost innocence, conflicting loyalty and bloodthirsty ambition.Miller's Crossing:Set in the wide-open days of Prohibition Miller's Crossing features a riveting rogues gallery of killers and con-men. Leo (Albert Finney) is the benevolent Irish gangster and political boss who rules an Eastern city with the help of Anti-hero Tom (Gabriel Byrne), his trusted lieutenant and counselor. But their control of the town is challenged by an over-reaching Italian under boss, Johnny Casper (Jon Polito) and his ruthless henchmen Eddie Dane (J.E. Freeman). While Tom tries to keep the peace, he has a disagreement with Leo over a woman and he finds himself caught in the jaws of a gangland power struggle.
MILLER CROSSINGFrom the creators of 'Fargo', 'O Brother Where Art Thou' and 'Intolerable ... more
Cruelty' comes a complex and graphic vision of gangsterism in the United States. Set in the wide-open days of Prohibition MILLERS CROSSING features a riveting rogues gallery of killers and con-men. Leo is the benevolent Irish gangster and political boss who rules the Eastern city with the help of anti-hero Tom, his trusted lieutenant and counselor. But their control of the town is challenged by an over reaching Italian under boss, Johnny Casper and his ruthless henchmen Eddie Dance. While Tom tries to keep the peace, he has a disagreement with Leo over a woman and finds himself in the jaws of a gangland power struggle. MILLER'S CROSSING is propelled by gripping action, stunning cinematography and brims with black humour and shocking violence. Its intense and twisting plot, walks a deadly tightrope where nothing is quite as it seems.THE ROAD TO PERDITIONHe shouldn't have been there. But in the moment that Michael Sullivan's son witnessed a brutal slaying, the lives of this 12 year old and his gangster father are shattered irrevocably. Now, targeted by the mob he's devoted his life to, Sullivan and his son find themselves with nowhere to turn and a sadistic killer in pursuit. It's here, in a fierce and primal struggle to stay alive and protect his boy, that this lifelong gangster will discover honour and redemption. Riveting, powerful and visually stunning, Road to Perdition ranks among the classic gangster movies of all time.
Production Year: 1999 - Drama, Thriller - Director: M. Night Shyamalan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Olivia Williams, Glenn Fitzgerald, Mischa Barton, Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Looks fantastic, acting is great, interesting story Disadvantages: Slightly predictable towards the end
...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 ... ...
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 children, but when his son Michael (Tyler Hoechlin) follows him and witnesses the murder of a rival (Ciaran Hinds, from tv show Rome), he is forced to explain. Things get further complicated when Rooney's son, Connor ... more
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 children, but when his son Michael (Tyler Hoechlin) follows him and witnesses the murder of a rival (Ciaran Hinds, from tv show Rome), he is forced to explain. Things get further complicated when Rooney's son, Connor (Daniel Craig, new James Bond) murders Sullivan's wife and other child, leaving the two Michaels to flee to a relative. They go to Chicago, where they come across Frank Nitti (Stanley Tucci), an aide of Al Capone, and Sullivan offers to work for him if he is allowed to avenge the murder of his family. However, Frank refuses and sets a psychotic photographer (Jude Law) on the pair's trail, leading to a dramatic showdown.
This is a film about family, betrayal and guilt, rather than about crime and violence, as you may have expected from the subject. The plot has lots of twists and turns, and I like the way that there isn't really a hero in the film: although Sullivan is protecting his son at all times, he remains a cold-blooded killer. Just when you think you can guess what's about to happen, the story switches, and you find out that characters are not as they seem. The many subplots all fit together nicely, leaving a very well-rounded story.
The acting from the top-drawer cast is superb, especially Jude Law, who is played completely against type as a weird and creepy photographer obsessed with dead bodies. In fact, most of the actors in this film are playing unusual roles - when was the last time Tom Hanks played a character so dislikeable? Paul Newman also deserves a mention, as he was nominated for a Best Supporting Oscar. The screen legend shows no sign of letting up despite being 77 when he made this, although his scenes are full of frailty and agedness, which gives some sympathy to a pretty nasty character.
The direction from Sam Mendes is fantastic, and I rate the film so highly due to its technical achievements even more than its story. Both of his films have had a lot of visual flair, and with the help of the famous director of photography Connor L Hall (who also worked on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Paul Newman), he creates some striking scenes. Everything from the tiniest little details - a puff of cigarette smoke, or a streaky winter sky - right up to a brutal murder and the final rain-soaked showdown, looks fantastic. This cinematography deservedly won an Oscar. Mendes even finds time for a little gun-slinging action scene, which he does equally well. The sets and locations all look stunning, with the buildings of Chicago put to good affect, and everything has an authentic 1930s depression-period feel.
But the aspect of the film which I found most striking was the Oscar-nominated musical score. This film has music in practically every scene, but it's not in an obtrusive way, and it creates a very mystical atmosphere. I think it was composed by Thomas Newman, and it reminded me of American Beauty (he worked on that film with Sam Mendes), but also The Shawshank Redemption, with lots of piano and soaring violins. I would say that the music carried me through every minute, except that the film didn't really need carrying since it was so absorbing in its own right.
My favourite part of the film was the finale. Not the very last scenes, but when Sullivan confronts those who betrayed him, most notably Paul Newman's character. The scene is shot in heavy rain at night, and it's completely striking and original. John Rooney is standing in the streets surrounded by his henchmen, when suddenly someone opens fire and they are all killed one by one around him, in a kind of slow-motion. You may be thinking this sounds a bit violent, or even a bit Matrix Revolutions, but only because I can't describe it properly. Well it turns out to be Sullivan, and he kills everyone but Rooney, and slowly walks up to him, and it's really tense because you don't know whether he will kill him or not. And I won't tell you.
If I had to pick out negative points with the film, they would mostly be about the ending. I found that the story got a bit confused, and ended up with a lot of bloodshed just because it didn't really know where else to go. It's probably that Sam Mendes was trying to make a point about the soul or something, but I thought it could have been ended slightly better. The last scenes also verged on the schmaltzy and predictable, including Michael Jnr playing on a beach with a dog. But since these were preceded by something quite unexpected, I can allow them.
Overall, I think that this is one of the best - and most overlooked - films of the last few years. Up there with Mystic River, it goes down in the list of films that surely should have won Best Picture but didn't. This was the year when Chicago won them all, and as good as that is, I think this is probably better. But anyway, this is a film I would heartily recommend to everyone, whether you like mafia films or not, whether you are familiar with Sam Mendes or not, or even if you're not a particularly big film fan; you can't miss this wonderful film.
This film is available to buy quite easily online or on in DVD retailer; the cheapest price I could find online being £5.99 from www.blahdvd.com. I am only reviewing the film.
Directed by: Sam Mendes Starring: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ciaran Hinds Running time: 117 minutes Classification: 15
Advantages: A beautifully shot and visually strong film with Tom Hanks playing against type Disadvantages: A story whose threads are too neatly tied
...Sullivan's to flee on the road to Perdition - followed by Jude Law's eerie assassin and photographer Harlen Maguire.
From the moment the film opens you can tell that this has come from the director of 'American Beauty'. Both the cinematography and the score are evocative of the film, although the subject matter is refreshingly different. As well they might be when both the cinematographer and the composer are reunited with Mendes in this film. Both ... ...lead him up a similar road to his own. His performance is restrained as he struggles with emotions connected with his wife and son's death and his, at times, strained relationship with his remaining son, who desperately seeks his father's approval.
Complementing Hanks is the young Tyler Hoechlin whose performance is also quite restrained. His response to his mother's death contains many similarities with his father's. Hoechlin manages to bring contradictions ...
ickkate 13.06.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Road To Perdition (DVD)
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 ... ...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 a quick-draw gunner, it looks right, and convincing.
The problems have started for his character long before the film begins. ...
theediscerning 20.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Road To Perdition (DVD)
Advantages: Fantastic in parts..... Disadvantages: .....but lacking in others.
...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 yet, but if Sam Mendes truly created a masterpiece with that film, then I left the theatre wondering what all the fuss was about, and why he took so long after his initial directorial debut to come up with a secondary offering. Some critic called this the movie of 2002, I beg ...
kleft 28.09.2002 (29.09.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Road To Perdition (DVD)
Advantages: Great acting, style, score, story Disadvantages: None
...pretty impressive credentials involved with Road To Perdition and I have to admit that the premise interested me but was dampened by some trailers and TV adverts that seemed to have the prestige saccherine feel to them. However these adverts pushed the prestige of the film and once you've seen it then I think you'll agree that it lives up to all the promise it gives. Based on a graphic novel, Road To Perdition tells the story of Micheal Sullivan ... ...Rooney (Paul Newman) and also like a son to the old man. Sullivan's job is a mystery to his two boys and the eldest Micheal Jr has a fascination with what his father does for a living. This fascination leads to being in the wrong place at the wrong time and soon Micheal and his son find themselves on the run as their family members are murdered to protect Rooney's empire. Sullivan plans to take vengeance by taking on the crime bosses of Chicago but ...
utero 21.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Road To Perdition (DVD)
Advantages: Great story, brilliantly made, great acting Disadvantages: A little slow at times
...underbelly of middle-class suburban America. Road to Perdition takes a leaf from a very similar book both in style and presentation. The good news is that an already successful formula works a very worthy magic in a truly majestic piece of film-making of the highest calibre.
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Principal Cast:
Tom Hanks .... Michael Sullivan
Paul Newman .... John Rooney
Jude Law .... Harlen Maguire
Jennifer ... ...of the story. Whilst the road to Perdition is intended to be the physical route taken by the Sullivans to deliver Michael junior into the safe hands of his aunt, the parallel on a different level is drawn out by the desperation of a father to stop his son taking a similar path to what appears to be an inferred hell (hence another ambiguos title a la American Beauty). Religious undertones abound as the Irish John Rooney struggles with the nature of ...
Marandina 05.05.2003 (11.05.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Road To Perdition (DVD)
Michael Sullivan commits murder in the name of his boss, John Rooney. Everything is changed when Sullivan's son is witness to a brutal murder at the hands of Rooney's son Connor...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Release date
17/03/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
23297 DVD
Barcode
5039036011754
Screenwriter
David Self
Composer
Thomas Newman
Director of Photography
Conrad L. Hall
Music
Thomas Newman
Author
Max Allan Collins, Richard P. Rayner
Cinematographer
Conrad L. Hall
Languages
Main Language
English
Subtitle Language
Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Audio Commentary By The Director Sam Mendes, 11 Deleted Scenes, HBO Special The Making Of The Road To Perdition, CD Soundtrack International Version, Photo Gallery, Cast Biographies, Filmmakers Biographies, Production Notes
"...Because it is so careful with its effects, this film's ability to create feeling sneaks up and surprises....This is a story with a will to move us and the ability to do whatever it takes to make that happen..." (Los Angeles Times, p.C1, 12/07/2002)
"...A truly majestic visual poem....Mr. Hanks does a powerful job..." (New York Times, p.E1, 12/07/2002)
"...[Law] helps bring this dark, strange, and ultimately moving film into disturbing places of the sort that most studio movies can't even imagine, let alone depict..." (Premiere, p.24-5, 01/08/2002)
"...ROAD TO PERDITION has the juice to get its hooks into you, knock you off balance and keep you that way for two hours. It's a triumph for director Sam Mendes..." (Rolling Stone, p.84, 08/08/2002)
"...There's inventiveness, intelligence, even brilliance here..." (Total Film, p.122, 01/10/2002)
DVD Description
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.
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