I
must admit that going into Road to Perdition, my expectations were pretty high.
Why? A big reason is director Sam Mendes. While this is only his second feature,
American Beauty made a huge impression on me. I'm a big fan of that movie. In
all fairness, I can't really compare the two films. They are vastly different
in terms of story content, but very much alike in technique. One thing is certain.
If you don't go into Road to Perdition aware of Mendes' theater background, you'll
know it when you walk out.
In
this throwback to gangster films of old, Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a hitman
who's out for revenge. Along the way he must fend off a nasty adversary (in the
form of Jude Lawe) and reconnect with his twelve year old son, who's seen something
he shouldn't have.
Hanks
stretches his acting chops delivering yet another outstanding performance. His
brooding and withdrawn Sullivan is trapped in a world that he can't get out of.
It's all he knows. All he can hope, is that he might keep his son out of his line
of work. Hanks sheds his likable image, and takes the audience on a dark road.
Veteran Paul Newman is fantastic as aging mob boss John Rooney, a sort of father
figure to Sullivan. Like Hanks, Newman is able to humanize this seemingly inhuman
character. While his profession is clearly immoral, he comes across as a gentleman
with whom one might enjoy having a drink with. Jude Lawe has a fun time as a photographer/assassin,
and no matter how unattractive the make-up crew try to make him look--seedy teeth
and all, women will still swoon. Stanley Tucci is also terrific as Frank Nitti,
Al Capone's right hand man.
In
Minority Report, Steven Spielberg showed us how fond he was of classic film noir.
With Road to Perdition, Mendes shows us that he too is a fan of classic cinema.
I did feel that some of the film was a tad too staged, and that seemed to take
away from the overall impact of the movie. Still, Mendes is a master when it comes
to engaging an audience.
Screenwriter
David Self has fashioned a simple, dramatic tale of revenge and redemption. Much
of the film is quite predictable (most notably the climax), but it does have a
few surprises up it's sleeve. Thankfully, Mendes is able to rise above the screenplay's
shortcomings.
What
I liked most about Road to Perdition is it's look. Particularly the breathtaking
cinematography by Conrad L. Hall who will surely win an Oscar for his brilliant
work here. In addition, the art direction is impeccable and Thomas Newman's stirring
score is is one of his very best.
Road
to Perdition is already being compared to films like The Godfather. I wouldn't
go that far. While this is certainly a fine film, it never seemed to reach it's
full potential for me. Mendes is a major talent and will continue to make a name
for himself, but Road to Perdition seems more like a movie to admire than to love.
