Rating: 
Summary: A Complex Powerhouse
Review: This film is so complex with it's multiple plotlines and character bonds. The film claims to be ultimately about the bond between fathers and sons. I agree with this, but it is also a story about loyalty and trust. This film has everything anyone can look for in a film: action, adventure, raw human drama and even wry comedy.This is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. The performances are outstanding, along with the score, direction and cinematography. This is doubtlessly going to be a serious Oscar contender. A masterfully done film from Sam Mendes, director of Oscar winner "American Beauty," and featuring some of Hollywood's greatest actors. This movie is as powerful as any heavyweight film you will ever see.
Rating: 
Summary: Tom Hanks Goes to the Dark Side...
Review: "Road to Perdition" is not just another gangster movie. Tom Hanks, like Robin Williams, joins the dark side by playing a 1930's mafia hitman who happens to be very good at and very well respected for his chosen profession. Hanks brings a human face to an otherwise inhuman profession, allowing the audience to see both sides of the coin: a cold-blooded killer on one hand, and a loving family man on the other. When Hanks' son witnesses a murder he is involved in, he finds himself betrayed by the very people (Paul Newman) he had given his loyalty to. On the run from the mafia and pursued by a creepy assassin (Jude Law), Hanks is forced to choose between safety and vengeance against those who have turned on him. Paul Newman delivers a high-caliber performance as the mob boss that Hanks works for. Like Hanks, Newman finds himself struggling with inner turmoil between the ruthlessness required to run his organization, and the human emotions that tear at him in carrying out the decisions he faces. I can't think of anyone who would have fit this role better than Newman and his performance is incredible. Jude Law takes on the role of a very creepy and very cold-blooded assassin hired to track down and eliminate Hanks. It's not just his incredibly bad teeth in this movie that makes him creepy; his character is simply without remorse and Law is very believable in this role.
Rating:
Summary: Perdition is Perfection
Review: Sam Mendes says more with silence and imagery than most directors say with their entire careers.There are no stars in this film, only actors. Hanks is stunning as a man with a code that must be upheld at all costs;he is surrounded with so much superb support. The entire cast are seamless, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Stanley Tucci and the lesser known actors who play Michael Jr and Connor. Yet the true presences in the film are the small dark spaces, the shadowed lighting,the rain and the rules. Are there any men of honor left in the world today? Only our fathers.
Rating:
Summary: I say "He was my father."......
Review: This is no hype, this is a great, great movie. A dream cast, literally flawless down to the smallest part, tells a tragic tale of loyalties betrayed and of bonds broken and bonds established. Conrad Hall's cinematography is casually stunning and every production detail is meticulous and authentic. The past is captured with intelligence and care. Sam Mendes has found a way to tell this tale of violence and murder with great style and grace. His choices throughout the film are brilliant, whether in unexpected closeups or thoughtful and unusual camera placement and angles. The use of weather (rain) and locale and the look & tone of the piece are marvelous. None of his work is forced and it flows and melds nicely. With this, only his second film, he has established his place in the forefront of today's filmakers. Truly remarkable work! I will not give the details of the story other than it involves Irish mobsters who are affiliated with Al Capone in Chicago, and how things go terribly wrong when a son discovers his father's (Tom Hanks) business. An aging mob boss (Paul Newman) must make the terrible choice between a baseless son and his adopted son whom he truly loves.. Their world is turned upside down and a quest for survival becomes a quest for redemption as well. As I said at the outset the cast is superb: Tom Hanks is completely believable in a different, darker role than we have seen him play before. Paul Newman nails the contradictions in this charming but deadly old gangster. Jude Law is spot-on as an amoral hitman. And Daniel Craig makes an impression as the envious son with the constant smile but no laughter in his eyes. Stanley Tucci does a nice small part and all the minor characters are fine. But, the great work are the scenes between Newman & Hanks and Hanks and Hoechlin. Fathers & sons and the mysteries & contradictions always inherent in those relationships. Thanks to Dreamworks and the producers for, again, releasing a serious film for adults in the Summer. A welcome relief from the hyper noisy and busy popcorn movie season. This is as fine a piece of filmmaking as you're likely to see in a while. First rate in all departments. Not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!
Review: This is a wonderful movie. Its about the story of a son who, one night, decides to see what his dad does for a living. He finds out to grave consequences. Tom Hanks is terrific in the lead role, as is everyone here. He plays the typical father of the 30's-a bit aloof, concerned about bringing food home for his family. The movie is beautifully shot, and the score fit it well, although at times I thought it was a bit heavy. There are a couple of slow periods as well. I read some of the reviews before and one compared it to the Godfather. I don't think you can compare the two movies other than the fact they involve the Mafia. This movie really focuses on the relationship between Mike and Michael Sullivan and how it evolves during the movie. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: dull gangster movie
Review: I went to see this having no idea what it was about... and found it dull, emotionally shallow, and highly predictable. It had none of the flair of The Untouchables or diligent detailing of The Godfather, the sets and locations were mediocre, and the lighting is pointlessly dark.
It was in every way forgettable. I think too much has been made of Sam Mendes' direction of ths film (he's a fellow Brit, who commanded American Beauty magnificently, but not so here). The character development was wafer thin to the extent that you didn't really care who was killed. The plot was excruciatingly obvious.
Hype is a dangerous thing when the goods are below 100%. Quad erat demonstratum.
Rating:
Summary: Janet's Opinion
Review: Tom Hanks never disappoints! He is the consumate professional always making you believe he is the character he plays.
The film was very violent and gory but non the less interesting and engrossing.
Tyler Hoechlin was excellent and so was Paul Newman.
I highly recommend this film to fans of Newman and Hanks.
Not for kids.
Rating:
Summary: A Gangster Hero???
Review: Sam Mendes' latest effort, The Road to Perdition is nothing short of fantastic. The concept of a hero who is a ruthless murderer challenges us, as the audience, to define what we call heroic. Michael Sullivan(Tom Hanks)is a gangster. He works for Mr. Rooney who is like a father figure to him. When a member of the gang voices his disatisfaction about how his late brother was treated, Michael Sullivan is sent to talk to him. Along, with Michael went Mr. Rooney's son. After a brief talk, the man continues to mouth off and is killed. Michael's son hid in the car and was a witness to the entire crime. Mr. Rooney faces a difficult decision on how to deal with the situation. He decided that he has to kill Michael, in effect choosing his own son over Michael. After Michael's wife and other son are killed by the mobsters, he is forced to go on the lamb with his son, while being chased by an assasin (Jude Law). The details in the movie are astounding. Much like the rose petals in American Beauty, rain is a constant theme in "Perdition." Upon seeing this movie, we are faced with one very interesting question, Michael Sullivan was a gangster. He killed many men and robbed many banks to protect his son. Was he a hero in protecting his son? Or was he still just a gangster because he killed to do so? See the movie and decide for yourself. See the movie and see who is going to be going home with an armful of Oscar's in a few months.
Rating:
Summary: Good story, acting, photography, and music.
Review: Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. It opened today (and I went to NYC and saw it with friends) The photography is stunning. The acting is amazing - subtle, deep, intense. The story is wonderful and complex. The villians are everywhere. The good guy is a bad guy. I agree with the NY Times reviewer who said "Road to Perdition is a visual poem." The mood is Edward Hopper and old westerns and misty/snowy/rainy 1930's Chicago. It's a really good maybe Academy Award-winning movie!! Paul Newman's acting is INCREDIBLE. He plays an Irish mafia boss. Totally believable from his slight brogue to his hawk-like intense stare. Chills. Tom Hanks is a thick-necked Irish hitman. He does his job. He sits in the background at big boss dinners. He speaks when spoken to. But his conscience is at war with him -- and the story is all about him avenging the murder of his wife and son, so he plays it heavy, mean, and without cracking one single smile. Chills. The photography is totally Academy Award material. The photography. Every image, every still, is memorable. It is immersive. A friend (who went with me) pointed out that the sun only came out once or twice and those were the only happy moments. The misty snowy sets, almost in black and white with 1930's cars and streets is Edward Hopperish in mood and tonality. The heavy rain scenes reek of wet woolen overcoats and bodyguards with umbrellas. The set is fabulous. I didn't see it as just a gangster film but more as drama about fathers and sons. We see the relationships between the elder Rooney and elder Sullivan, elder Rooney and younger Rooney, and the elder Sullivan and the younger Sullivan. We see one of theses relationship degenerate and fall apart, one that is stays the same no matter what happens, and one that grows and becomes more. Another thing I loved was that the violence was fairly understated -- the pain and regret of killing was seen in Sullivan's face. Much of the tough-guy emotions were conveyed through facial muscles, a shrug of shoulders, a stare. Very subtle, powerful acting. Another friend noticed the camera work. He saw where the camera sees the scene, lays it out, then slowly and evenly goes from behind Hanks head to above his head, walking with him, seeing what he sees. It's graceful and unnoticed. Beautiful, subtle. The music is fabulous!! It's not thematic where you drown in one phrase; it stays in the background. But every note enhances the mood! I also felt the music rise with my adrenalin -- the music pushes the viewer's mood into the plot, into the scene. Well done. Everything about this fabulous gangster movie is the best I've seen in years. Try to see it on the big screen, don't wait for the video.
Rating:
Summary: Machine Guns and Model A's
Review: "The Road to Perdition" offers a gripping drama of 1930s gangsters, in which Tom Hanks adds to his already prodigious resume by playing a hit man...a "good bad guy." Tom's character, Michael Sullivan, is a team player in a gangster organization and is well loved by the boss, played by the still great, aging Paul Newman. But things go awry when Sullivan's son learns too much about dad's job, and Sullivan suddenly finds himself out of favor. If guns and blood bother you, this is not a film you will want to see, as it is shocking and realistic. I loved how the film provided a highly authentic look at the 1930s: the men in fedoras with caterpillar mustaches, long overcoats, driving Model As and other period cars, the kind you see in faded photographs in grandfather's old picture albums. Whoever was in charge of set design and costumes deserves an Oscar, in my opinion. City streets brim with period autos, the sidewalks are crowded with people in 1930s clothing and hairstyles. There was never anything to spoil the illusion, no too-modern appliances, furniture or clothing, no modern idioms, language or references to pop the bubble and remind you that this was, after all, just a movie. It was like a visual time machine. Perhaps to enhance the drabness and dreariness of the Great Depression, the film appears to be shot in low light, as if no one ever turned on the lamps. It works well to set the mood of the film. Clearly, the movie makers knew what they were doing when they made this one.
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