Road to Perdition (2002, R)

Gangster films always come heavy handed in: drama, violence, shootouts, and sometimes intensity.  Road to Perdition contains all of those things that a gangster film essentially needs; it's just that Road to Perdition comes in as a very different, and unique style of gangster film from what we have seen before.  That's not necessarily a bad thing.  It's just that Road to Perditon finds it's way into becoming a very unique gangster film; it's just also deeply flawed, and yet also so impressively mounted.

There's an element of emotion that we should all be feeling, and yet, Road to Perdition feels emotionally detached.  The story, which is one of the most original in a long time, is about Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks), a hitman for mob boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), and his unstable son Connor (Daniel Craig).  While being a hitman, Sullivan is also struggling to raise a family. When his oldest son witnesses a shootout with Sullivan involved, Connor, who takes a dislike to Michael and wants to silence the boy, shoots down Michael's wife and youngest son, while Michael escapes another assassination attempt on his life.  Michael, with his oldest son in tow, must no go up against the mob world that he had previously enforced, all while trying to make sure that his son doesn't become like him.

The story is more then adequate, engaging and original.  The acting is superb.  The musical score is haunting. The film itself is so convincing, and just so powerful.  That's boosted by the above par cinematography.  Hanks and Newman work so superbly, splendidly together.  They carry part of the film on their own.  It's dark, cold, gloomy, and yet a reality.  That's a lot of praise that is certainly credible to Road to Perdition.

But like I said above, the only emotion I feel is a slight father-son bond between Sullivan and his son, which at times can still get a little awkward.  By the time Hanks has completed his full circle of revenge by wiping out his former gangster buddies (sorry to release spoiler), we see tears in his eyes, but they seem almost artificial.  The script at times can get a little hackneyed, but thankfully that doesn't deviate from the powerful plot, which always remains at the very center of the movie and never leaves us.

As a gangster film, Road to Perdition works.  Director Sam Mendes keeps it far from being a masterpiece like it how it possibly could have been, or the total cinematic expierence it almost was.   It ends up being a movie of unqualifying momentum about the personal journey of father and son, down a solemn, cold road into oblivion, from where we can finally understand the actions taken by the father, and the fully realized reactions of the son.  Ultimately, Road to Perdition is engaging and admirable, but not masterful.
Rating: ***