Rating: 
Summary: Heartbroken Mob Hit Man Tries to Save His Son
Review: Pros: Superb performances by Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. Both make their characters human, instead of just cold-blooded murderers.Cons: I anticipated the ending and so will many of you. A moving tale of an Irish mob hit man wronged by those to whom he has been loyal for so long, to whom he has given his life. Tom Hanks, in a seemingly tailor-made part, is a flawless fit as Michael Sullivan. From the beginning, it is clear that the job is getting to him, that he is caught up in something in which he is drowning. Sorrowful eyes reveal a shattered heart and give hope that the character is worth saving. Opening in the deep cold and depression of Illinois in the winter of 1931, we are introduced to the Sullivan family; Michael, his wife Annie and sons, Michael, Jr. and Peter. After his father comes home from work, Michael, Jr. is sent upstairs to tell his father that dinner is ready. The bedroom door is ajar and we see him winding down from the day, taking first a rosary out of his pocket and then a gun. Sadly he is convinced that his father goes on dangerous missions for the president. In his mind, this explains away the reason for the gun and makes Michael a hero in his son's eyes. At a wake in Rockford, we find out that the Sullivans are very close to powerful, yet aging, crime boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), who for a long time has been like a father to Michael. Consequently, it is distressing to realize that these two will become enemies. A precursor to the emotional drain that follows, they both sit down at a piano and start playing one of the most beautiful, simple and mournful songs ("Perdition - Piano Duet") I have ever heard. It is striking how wounded a piano can sound. That being said, there are no wrong turns in the soundtrack. All of the music perfectly sets the somber tone and mood. Soon after the wake, Michael, Jr. decides to find out exactly what his father does for a living by hiding in the car on the way to a job that ends in a murder. Unfortunately, he witnesses everything and the boss's less-than-stable son, Connor (Daniel Craig), believes that he will not be able to keep quiet. Therefore, Connor commits a terrible betrayal. Michael is sent to supposedly collect on a debt, but he realizes something is wrong, that he is the one in trouble. After an exchange of gunfire, he rushes home to find Michael, Jr. sitting at the dining room table, staring blankly ahead. Heart catching in his throat, he hurries up the stairs and lets out an anguished cry over the bodies of his wife and youngest son. In his grief and lust for blood, Michael attempts to get Rooney to give up Connor. Failing in this, he goes on the run to Chicago to get help from Mr. Nitty (Stanley Tucci). Regrettably, Nitty is on Rooney's side. He tells Michael that loyalty and trust will no longer be there for him if he makes good on what he has planned. Michael ignores the warning and the photographer, Harlan Maguire, is brought in to take care of him. Jude Law plays this amoral character to remarkably chilling perfection. Michael, now on his own, must come up with a way to force the mob to hand Connor over. So, he goes after the mob's money at banks all over the state. Inspiring a few genuinely funny moments, Michael teaches his son to drive the car, now serving as their getaway vehicle. Having described the main characters and the situations leading to the heart of the movie, I hesitate to say more. So, I will just conclude saying that, the title refers both to where the father and son are headed and to the hell where Michael's soul is treading. But, he is not beyond redemption. He is just a broken man in need of compassion. Overall, this film offers a pretty straightforward plot with Tom Hanks delivering a mesmerizing performance. The score is gorgeous and grievous and the graceful imagery of wide-open winter spaces is set against the bleak corruption of cities and their seas of people drearily dressed in dark grays and blacks. Bottom Line: A great movie about two men locked in a slow spiral of vengeance. For all its predictability, it still manages to shock and sadden. You will care for these people. NOTE: I wanted to give the movie a 4-1/2, but Amazon does not allow for that.
Rating: 
Summary: And miles to go before they sleep....
Review: Before seeing this film for the first time, I already knew that Tom Hanks plays a hit man for the mob. Tom Hanks? As I then viewed the film, I assumed that Hanks accepted the role because he liked the script, respected director Sam Mendes, and wanted to work with Paul Newman. I also guessed (only a guess) that he wanted a role "out of character." That is, he wanted to depart from the Hanks persona so firmly established in earlier films, notably Splash (1984), Big (1988), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), and Forrest Gump (1994). The quality of Hanks's acting in Road to Perdition is outstanding. The same is true of others in the cast, notably Paul Newman (John Rooney), Jude Law (Maguire), Daniel Craig (Connor Rooney), and Tyler Hoechlin (Michael Sullivan, Jr.). What I did not fully realize until seeing the film again is that the older Sullivan son (not his father, played by Hanks) is the the focal point of the film, especially after brutal events which are best revealed in the film itself. Hoechlin is among the most talented of younger actors, female or male. In this film, he skillfully portrays a doting and devoted son who inadvertently becomes centrally involved in his father's career in crime. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Rooney sees Michael Sr. as his "true" son. For obvious reasons, this infuriates Rooney's natural son Connor, a vicious but incompetent heir to his father's mob "franchise." This film is set in the 1930s. As crime became "organized," certain policies and procedures were agreed upon and strictly enforced. The mobsters' model was the corporate structure, probably General Motors with its hierarchies, divisions, special units, strategic alliances, etc. Activities were organized within specific territories. In this film, Rooney (Newman) rules the Tri Cities area which consists of Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, and nearby Davenport, Iowa. He reports to a "corporate headquarters" located in Chicago, headed by Al Capone. With regard to the title, it refers to a journey undertaken by the two Sullivans and others before reaching what proves to be -- for most of them -- a violent destination. Who among them will be eternally damned? The title also refers to a town to which Michael Sr. plans to take his son once he (Sr.) eliminates the threats to them both. Special credit to David Self for an extraordinarily clean and crisp script, and to Conrad L. Hall's cinematography which earned for him an Academy Award. As for Hanks being "out of character" in this part, his acting skills ensure that he is every bit as credible as Michael Sr. as he is as Forrest Gump. In years to come, it will be interesting to observe the course and direction of his career. Perhaps he has only begun to reveal the nature and extent of what his talents can achieve.
Rating: 
Summary: Good movie let down by obvious ending
Review: Ok well what did I like about this movie? I liked the cinematography, the style in which in the movie was shot and the long-shots coupled with some real spiffy camera work. What I didn't like so much was the too-obvious (and, lets be honest, somewhat contrived) ending. Sullivan (Hanks) is your number one hitman who gets the job done. He's stared death in the face a number of times yet always manages to end up still alive. Then he's involved in a shoot out with a spotty and under-developed character played by Jude Law. Hanks inexplicably fails to finish his counterpart off only for *shock* Law to return at some later date to kill him. Would a character like Sullivans really walk into that beach house and not look behind him, especially as he expected to find his sister there and instead found no-one and nothing (not even furniture)?. The script was screaming SETUP as soon as the 'happy ending' music played as Sullivan and son took a stroll along the beach. All in all, an entertaining movie but not without its flaws.
Rating: 
Summary: Tom Hanks' Sensitive Gangster Can't Carry This Stinker
Review: I knew it was a bad sign when I kept glancing at the DVD timer while watching this. The pacing of the film is so incredibly slow that a person can take extended bathroom or snack breaks, leave the film playing, and not miss substantive plot developments. After the first hour, I know I did! Hanks' sensitive gangster is about the only glimmer of interest in this otherwise lackluster film that is so in love with its visuals that it forgets to include more than a rudimentary plot. A forgettable film in many respects.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it.
Review: I am surprised at the negativity to the film. Tom Hanks does a decent job at playing somebody cold and hard vs his usual nice guy routine. Paul Newman does a decent job at his role of the mob boss who "regretfully" makes a few decessions. Jude Law plays a great psycho! Sure there could have been things done better but when I go to a movie I just want to forget about things for a couple hours. I liked the characters for what they were. The ending was not what I expected but hey you should be surprised rather then the typical American Happy ending to most films....
Rating:
Summary: boring and ridiculous
Review: I sat and watched this with people who thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I hated it, the predictible plot and characters, stupid motivations. My main beef with the film was the idea that a mob boss would allow anyone to get away with embezzling and cheating him, even his own son. We are frequently told throughout the movie that Hank's character is like a son to the mob boss and that the boss really doesn't get on with his real son. With films that are supposed to mirror reality, I could not suspend my disbelief and believe that this mob boss would protect a son who was a liability. Mob bosses don't get to that height without being ruthless and Newman's character was too fluffy. Plus it was boring
Rating:
Summary: Overdosed on sentimentality
Review: Speilberg ruined it. That is quite a comment isn't it given that Speilberg is only credited as part of the Dreamworks team which produced this picture. The fact is that the man's hands are all over this one in the same way that he "directed" Poltergeist - but didn't. Speilberg has often been accused of using too much "over-sentimentality" in his films. I would semi-agree with this analysis but it doesn't show through too often which is fine - except here in this picture that is dripping and oozing sentimentality from every single frame. I am sorry but this film is tugging at heart strings from the word go and is pulling every trick in the book to try and get the emotional out of you. It reaches a point about twenty minutes into the film where you just say - "Okay, okay I get it, now please, the story, move on with that and some character development, thank you." - but Speilberg is there behind an Oscar-begging Mendes (isn't one Oscar enough??) saying "Go on boy you can do it, tug those strings, more! More! Pluck 'em till they have a stroke!" The fact is that this film does so much on the sentimentality front that it is not just annoying, but downright damaging to the movie and everyone who has anything to do with it. It is a misfire in direction, acting and production. How can you take a great story, a great concept, and flat out destroy it from frame to frame by seeing how much sentimentality the audience can take. Even the "Junkie sentimentality Oscar committee" are going to barf at all the cheese - and they did. They snubbed this movie because it obviously stood there before them saying - come on gimme the gold! AND IT DOES JUST THAT! How embarrassing! There is nothing worse than begging for an Oscar and boy does it beg! It simply does not make any sense that no one in the studio said - "Hey, listen guys Don't you think we should tone down on the old sentimentality here for a moment because it is extremely distracting?" It seems that no one even considered that this piece of cinema was about to go to mush under all the mushyness. Road to Perdition IS the undisputed champion of cheese. It sets the benchmark in cheese to which all other cheesy movies will be measured against. I can not emphasize how the plot - something about a hitman and his son avenging the death of his family - is killed flat out after twenty minutes of sentimentality. Do you like the way I use the world sentimentality over and over again in this review? Doesn't all the sentimentality just burn it out? Are you tired yet of all the sentimentality? Do get the picture? It is so bad that it even KILLS Newman's fantastic performance, the astonishing cinematography and the set design. It just drowns it all in a sea of fake tears. Avoid like the plague unless you are a sentimentality sponge of epic absorption properties. It goes to show that even the best in the business can still fail to understand what makes the audience tick.
Rating:
Summary: Finest Mob/Drama since the Godfather
Review: Drama is defined through this new age classic, Road to Perdition. Tom Hanks plays a mobster whose child witnesses a murder. When he discovers that his old mafia "friends" are out to get him and his son, he gives everything he has in order to protect his child. Tom Hanks delivers his best preformance since Forest Gump.
This movie should only be purchased by those who can truly understand a deep movie plot. If you are looking for a light, no brainer... this is NOT for you.
Rating:
Summary: Strong Peroid Drama.
Review: A Professional Hit Man (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Tom Hanks) by the name of Micheal Sullivan. Who works for his Boss (Three Time Oscar-Winner:Paul Newman), which he`s like a father to Micheal. When his oldest curious son (Tyler Hoechlin) witness a execution perform by his Father & his boss`s son (Daniel Craig). Now Micheal`s Son is aware about his father work. His boss actually thinks that his son won`t keep it a secret. He decide to kill his Employee`s Wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Son (Liam Aiken) by sending his son. When the Boss`s son missed his chance to kill Micheal`s oldest son. So, Micheal and his Son are on the Run and tries to get his revenge, which he thought his Boss was loyal to him. Directed by Oscar-Winner:Sam Mandes (American Beauty) made a Powerful Drama that is so fascinating & interesting to look at. Hanks, Newman & Hoechlin are terrific in this film. Which is Based on a Graphic Novel by Max Allan Collins (Mommy) & Richard Piers Rayner. But the film`s real star is Conrad L. Hall (Cool Hand Luke, In Cold Blood, Panic Room) extraordinary effective Cinematography, which he won his third Oscar as a film`s photography but sadly which is his last film work before he passed on. DVD has an terrific anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer & an sharp:Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an Commentary Track by the Director, Deleted Scenes with/without Commentary & more. The film was also nominated for:Newman for Best Supporting Actor, Best Art Director, Best Original Score, Best Sound & Best Sound Edition. Jude Law is also good as a Hit-Man, who is after Micheal & His Kid. Screenplay by David Self (The Haunting-1999, Thirteen Days). Super 35. Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: The Moose Hole - Entertaining 'Road'
Review: Road to Perdition, based on the 1998 graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, is the first film for director Sam Mendes since his Academy Award winning film, American Beauty. The film is also a first for one of its stars, Tom Hanks. As promoted by Dreamworks Pictures, this is the first time where you see Tom Hanks as a villain in a feature film. Tom Hanks alone should be a big draw for many moviegoers but who can argue with world of marketing. The film also features some other big stars outside of Tom Hanks. They would include Paul Newman, who worked The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Jude Law, whose works include A.I. and Enemy at the Gates. But will these big stars be a big enough draw to have moviegoers sit through a depressing gangster film? The story that Michael Sullivan is caring and loving husband and father. Set in early 1930's in the city of Chicago, Sullivan works for Mr. John Rooney. Michael never had a father, so Rooney raised him as his own and taught him the ropes of the business he was involved with. Now all grown up and having a family of his own, Sullivan's life changes in many dramatic ways. His oldest son, curious of what his father does for a living, sneaks into the back of his car the night of one of his jobs. The young boy witnesses the accidental murder a man and discoveries that he father is part of the mob. Sullivan assures Rooney that the boy will remain silent but the mob is not so sure. To secure silence they murder Sullivan's wife and other son. This sends Michael Sullivan on an unpredictable journey to the town of Perdition as he tries to save the life of his son and seek revenge on the people he once called family. Road to Perdition's story is very well done though long. The film has plenty of gunfight sequences but for long stretches there are moments that just seem long and boring with continuous talking. Not to say the dialogues is bad, not at all, but to say that there seems to be too much in certain areas. The acting is top notch in Road to Perdition with the all-star cast advertised very prominently. Tom Hanks performs exceptionally well, as usual. I do not agree that his character is actually a villain in the film. How is he a villain when he tries to save the life of his son? Just because he is a gangster makes him a villain? One can make an argument for either side but it can be said there is a middle ground for his character. Paul Newman gives one of his best performances as the head of a mobster family. His lines are probably the most memorable in the entire film not because of where they are featured but for the emotion he uses to say those lines. Jude Law is well placed as the "Reporter", though I believe his character wasn't as necessary as most of the other characters in the film. Other supporting characters were well done but not hugely outstanding in the film. Road to Perdition is a good film but not a great film. It is a film that is just a normally good popcorn flick and nothing beyond that. The dialogue was good and the story was interesting but there are some conflicts with what happens in the film. Most of the characters in the film are gangsters and know they are involved in a life of murder and greed but when bad things happen, they seem all shocked that it is happening to them. You weren't expecting that? Also, some of the characters, including the boy who plays the son of Michael Sullivan, seem pretty dull and don't really do anything to show a hugely exceptional performance. Another problem was the relationship between Sullivan and his son. You don't really get to see much closeness between the two and yet in the end, they both seem to be on good terms. There were some signs but not a huge lot. Outside of those small scrabbles, the film is very well presented especially with the beautiful sets and the great use of cinematography. Road to Perdition should at least be checked out on DVD or VHS once for its artistic merit.
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