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Paul Newman and Tom Hank's The “Road to Perdition” is worth taking
October 19 2005
"Road to Perdition," a 2002 film starring Tom Hanks ("Forrest Gump"), Paul Newman ("Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid") and Jude Law ("Alfie"), emerges viewers in one of the bleakest times of American history.
Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a Depression-era hitman working for John Rooney, an Irish mob boss in Illinois.
But Sullivan isn't only Rooney's (Newman) top mob enforcer. He's the son Rooney always wanted. And Rooney is the father that Michael Sullivan never had.
But there's one problem. Connor (Daniel Craig), Rooney's biological son, hates Michael Sullivan for stealing his father's love and wants him dead.
On top of that, Sullivan has his own sons to worry about.
The young boys wonder just what it is their father does. Is he a hero or something else?
Curiosity gets the best of Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin), and the boy decides to follow his father one rainy night.
But the boy's wonder turns to horror when he sees his father gun down a room full of men.
After witnessing the murders, Sullivan and Connor find young Michael Jr. terrified and crying. Sullivan assures Connor his son will say nothing of the cold-blooded murders the boy has witnessed.
But all is not forgotten.
Soon after, Connor murders Sullivan's wife and youngest son, sending the hitman on a road to revenge with a psychotic killer (Jude Law) hunting him down.
Hanks gives a wonderfully understated performance in "Perdition," managing to pull off a tough guy persona that many people might not associate with the accomplished actor.
While Hanks seems tough, he manages to show the sensitive, fatherly side to Michael Sullivan. Hanks balanced performance makes the Sullivan a likeable character despite the fact he is a professional killer.
Paul Newman delivers as well. He manages to depict Rooney as both a ruthless mob boss and a sweet, grandfatherly figure.
And Newman and Hanks have great on-screen chemistry.
The audience can almost believe the two men are truly father and son.
Jude Law adds to the amazing cast, giving an amazingly creepy performance as Harlen Maguire, a hitman who enjoys not only killing but photographing his work.
Director Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") really brought "Perdition: to life. The stunningly beautiful cinematography only adds to this deep story.
While "Perdition" is both visually and cognitively appealing, it suffers a complex storyline. The viewers have to pay close attention or they could miss something they deserve to see.
But the themes in "Perdition" make up for its shortcomings. The movie addresses the importance of family and loyalty in a dark world. And it shows us just how life can test both.
And let's not forget the age-old question: to what lengths a man will go for revenge?
Sullivan is a father with his back against a wall. He needs to bring down an entire criminal organization while keeping his young son alive. And he will stop at nothing to do both.
For a gangster movie, the use of violence here is particularly interesting. The audience never really sees the violence.
The blood, gore and death are visually elusive. We only see the face of the man killing, never the killing itself.
But perhaps the face tells more than the killing ever could.
The impact of violence, not the amount, is what is truly disturbing. Sullivan wants to protect his son from a world of death, but deep inside himself, he knows it can't be done.
"Road to Perdition" is based on a 1998 graphic novel of the same name. Written by Max Allan Collins, the novel was substantially more violent and action based than the film.
It's worth reading because it not only gives a fresh perspective on the traditional gangster drama but adds a whole new layer to the story of Michael Sullivan that can't be found in the film.
Collins also released a three part tie-in series based on the original "Road to Perdition" novel.
"Road to Perdition" gives a new spin on the same old gangster movie.
It addresses issues of loyalty and love in a world painted with blood. It allows the audience to see a man who does what he has must to provide for the family he loves in a harsh and unfair world.
The "Road to Perdition" is a tale of love, death and self-discovery.
And it's a journey definitely worth taking.
Source: southend.wayne.edu
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