A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Road to Perdition

Date Viewed: 7/27/02

Details:

Tom Hanks

Paul Newman

Jude Law

Tyler Hoechlin

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Stanley Tucci

Daniel Craig

Director: Sam Mendes

Cinematography: Conrad L. Hall

Score: Thomas Newman

Score: +

The Review: Winter 1931, Prohibition, somewhere in the Midwest (within driving distance of the Great Lakes), a town with a strong Irish enclave and a illegally profitable Irish mafia. Michael Sullivan (Hanks) is an enforcer for Mr. Rooney (Newman), who runs the town as a benevolent father figure but whose gang -- including his son, Conner (Craig) -- is the steel fist in the velvet glove. But Sullivan's young son (Hoechlin) is about to find out what his father really does for work. A series of tragic circumstances put the father and son on the road, heading to a lake-side Perdition, pursued by a truly twisted hit man (Law).

A very good character study of some decidedly complex characters in devilish situations; illustrates clearly the wide spectrum between good and evil, and the many gradations of evil and morality. Hanks' Sullivan is not an endearing individual, but he has a strong loyalty and a clear vision of what, to him, is right and wrong; the fact that most viewers will disagree does not detract from finding him a fascinating portrayal. Hoechlin, as his son, is very good: a difficult role carried off well. On the other hand, it seems I've never met a Jude Law character I liked, and this is no exception: although here, his psychotic photographer serves as an off-the-charts extreme against which Hanks' Sullivan can appear to be relatively moral.

Excellent cinematography, decent score, and some lively Irish pickup music with a performance by John Williams (not the composer).

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