Hanks and Newman
Shine in Perdition

If you're like me, you are probably wondering what a serious film with Oscar potential is doing in the theaters during the height of summer. Summer is that time of blockbusters, sequels, and mindless comedy. It is not known for artistic endeavors that have critics murmuring about Academy Award nominations.

Nevertheless, Road to Perdition is such a movie. Despite the summer mania, someone in Hollywood decided to make a serious contemplative film of fathers, sons, and loyalty. Two great actors, Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, bring this powerful story to life. Newman plays John Rooney, an Irish mob boss in Chicago during the Depression. Hanks is Michael Sullivan, a man who owes everything to Rooney.

When Mike's son, Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin), witnesses a gangland execution involving Rooney's son Connor (Daniel Craig), a series of events are put in motion that force the father and son to flee for their lives. The underlying theme of fathers and sons is very thick. As Mike is a father to Michael Jr., so he is also like a son to Rooney. But Rooney's loyalty to his surrogate son conflicts with his loyalty to his flesh and blood son, Connor.

Visually, the film is stunning. As a period piece, the settings and costumes are picture perfect. The whole film seems to be painted in dark, somber earth tones. The only splash of color in the film seems to be the bright crimson hue of blood.

And there's plenty of blood. This is a film about gangsters, and violence is expected in such a story. Still, the suddenness of the violence in many places is shocking, even gruesome.

Though the story moves slow at times, there are some great performances at work here. Hanks and Newman are early contenders for Oscar nominations. Jude Law is delightfully odd as Harlen Maguire. The story itself is too weak, in my opinion, to make Best Picture, although director Sam Mendes could get a directoral nod.

If after a summer filled with aliens, superheroes, and cartoons come to life, you are aching for some good storytelling and superb acting, I highly recommend Road to Perdition. It is my hope that if enough people show Hollywood there is a market for serious summer films, we may see more in the future.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED:
RUN TIME: 119 min.

Hanks and Newman Shine in Perdition

Hanks and Newman
Shine in Perdition