Review of Road to Perdition (2002) by Adam A — 24 Dec 2009

Thank (insert religious figure here) for youtube! I am able to watch a movie I have been begging to see for quite a while. Here is today's review of "Road to Perdition.".

Michael Sullivan Jr. grew up in the 1920's, never knowing what his father did on his business trips. One night, he stows away in his father's car and discovers the terrible truth: his father murders people for John Rooney, the man who took him in as a child, and also the leading mob boss in the area. When Michael Senior is betrayed, he will lose almost everything important to him, but gain something more valuable than he could've thought possible: a relationship with Michael Jr. This is easily my favorite Tom Hanks movie. I just love gangster films, and this film pulls off the time period with gusto. The storyline is spread out nicely over 117 minutes, but spreading it rich. All the acting is commendable, notably Daniel Craig as Connor Rooney, John's son. The theme of father-son relationships is indeed explored & used excellently as a guideline of the film. The drama is never overplayed in boring drawn-out sequences, but rather summed up expertly with a few lines and great acting from the cast. The ending leaves just a tiny bit to be desired, but other than that, "Road to Perdition" qualifies as a masterful crime drama. I give it 8.5 tommygun bursts out of 10. Coming in just behind "The Untouchables" as my favorite period movie of all time.

"There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven." -John Rooney.