Should I Check This Out - Road to Perdition

Having been a while since I checked out a (relatively) old film, I caught Sam Mendes' 2002 mafia film, Road to Perdition on TV the other night. A film I'd seen many years ago when I was starting to develop a keen interest in the medium, it couldn't have been a better choice. Crime, drama, family, mafia, it has all the trademarks, but through its direction, it elevates itself above the usual mob flicks and becomes something well worth taking note of if you haven't seen it already. 

Adapted from a graphic novel, the story takes place in depression era America in the winter of 1931. Michael Sullivan, played by Tom Hanks, works for Paul Newman's ageing mob boss, John Rooney and his son, Connor, who will one day inherit the empire, played by a young Daniel Craig. All is well until Michael's older son witness a hit, he and Connor perform one night. Concerned that the kid will talk, Connor tries to have Michael bumped off, killing his wife and younger son, leaving Michael to go on the run with his eldest in search of any friends they have left.

The story is straight forward but beautifully handled by Mendes and cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, who died shortly after making the film and received a posthumous Oscar for his incredible work. Visually the film looks amazing, capturing the look and feel of 1930s America. To describe it would spoil the surprise but this is certainly one fine looking film, complete with a gorgeous shootout sequence that takes place during a rainy night. Being Hall's last feature film, this is certainly a great testament to his work and he deserves the award.

While there has been scepticism regarding Hanks as a cold-blooded killer, he does a fine job in the role, all be it a performance that isn't his best. Somewhere between the seriousness and lighter moments, there is a sense that the film is never sure what type of person Sullivan really is, but for the most part it goes unnoticed and doesn't really hurt the overall story. Supporting cast members are all brilliant, particularly Newman who I felt deserved more screen-time, despite giving a fine performance and rightly received an Oscar nomination for it. Making an early impression, Craig is also great and manages to hold his accent well (this is coming from a Brit), and Jude Law, as the deranged hitman sent out to kill Sullivan, is good despite a restrictive screen-time.

Having seen the film again, it has made me appreciate scenes I had forgotten about, particularly an early encounter between Hanks and Law at a diner, but also the amount of time spent setting up the film, which could have arguably been better spent developing supporting characters. Sullivan's son is in some ways the audience's surrogate but I often found him hard to sympathise with and underdeveloped. Despite these points, the direction remains smooth throughout, even if it lacks emotion that would have benefited the story.

So while not entirely perfect, Road to Perdition is still an excellent film that avoids the typical cliches of mafia films. I do feel somewhat guilty criticising something that played a part in attracting my interest in film, but being such a great film and one of my favourites, I do see areas where it could have improved, if only slightly. Otherwise, the future Bond director has done a fine job and I am always interested to see what he does next as he takes the directing seat once again for Craig's next outing as Bond. While the initially somewhat slow pace might cause some to check their watch, overall Road to Perdition is certainly a fine film that is both haunting and beautiful.