Review of Road to Perdition (2002) by Jingbo W — 13 Jul 2012

Tom Hanks killing people just doesn't seem right to me. Sure, he was in Saving Private Ryan and all that, but I'm used to the wholesome, "I'm the father you wish you had," Tom Hanks.

This movie gives him a very different character to play and he fills that role phenomenally. Not to say the other actors aren't great; Daniel Craig and Jude Law stand out as deep and interesting supporting characters.

It's a touching father-son bonding movie, as well as a crime thriller with some intense shootouts and climactic scenes. That being said, the film is rather unbalanced at times. It doesn't know how to keep to one solid tone, it shifts from "Oh dear Christ, that's so messed up," to "LOOK AT THIS CHILD SMILING, HAPPY MUSIC, YAY!" at the drop of a hat.

But overall, it's a well made and tightly edited movie that doesn't waste time blowing through its gut-wrenching premise by adding unnecessary scenes or characters.