As a way of following up on our discussion from last weekend, and as a change of pace from how we generally structure our Vault pick reviews, I’d like to talk about the only flaw at the heart of Road to Perdition. The film has so much going for it, Sam Mendes at the helm, directing Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, Oscar nominee Jude Law and behind the camera there are Oscars galore including 3 time Oscar winner and photography legend Conrad Hall. (When I finally get around to my fave DOP list, Hall will looking down from on high.)
Fully cognisant of all this, and admitting that I absolutely loved this film, the music, the visuals, the performances, the atmosphere, there was something that wasn’t quite working for me, and it had to do with Tom Hanks. I don’t think anyone could accuse him of turning in a weak performance in this, or any other film he’s done – he may not be my favourite, but the man’s got skills – but casting him against type (which is what they did) was a risky move that might not have worked, but was concealed by the opulence of the movie happening around him.
The opening question of the film was whether or not Michael Sullivan was a good man, heralding young Mike Sullivan’s adventure and discovery of the good inside his father. So besides a great opportunity to have Conrad Hall shoot the Illinois countryside and Thomas Newman to play his special brand of cacophonous melodies, this was a chance to peel back the layers of Michael Sullivan and see what lies beneath the gruff exterior of this small-time mob enforcer. The only problem is, what’s waiting underneath it all is Josh Baskin, Ray Peterson & Forrest Gump, widely recognised as one of the softer touches in Hollywood. Therefore, what’s revealed through the course of a richly entertaining film is what we would expect to find from Hanks.
He was up for the challenge, but if I was the one directing an Oscar winning team of filmmakers (still waiting for that call), I would have cast in the opposite direction. The right way to go would have been to have an actor that rarely or never shows his soft side, like a Russell Crowe or Colin Farrell and not a Jeff Bridges or a Robin Williams. That way, the answer to the question of the good inside might not have been a foregone conclusion, and there still would have been a challenge for the actor coming in to project some tenderness in contrast to the cold-blooded mob goon.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing. A great film from a great cast and a great crew.
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Conrad Hall is just brilliant. I know it’d never happen, most especially not now, but I’d love to see a documentary on his work. Cinematographers somehow always get shafted by Directors when it comes to public love. Then again the same thing could be said for screenwriters. I suppose it’s often because the first name you see post credits is the director’s. Anywho, I absolutely love this movie. Road to Perdition is great all around. What I love most is the combination of camera work, lighting, and music in that street gunshot scene towards the end with Hanks and Newman. Just amazing.
Welcome to the Film Cynics, Univarn!
There is a pretty decent retrospective on Hall’s career on the Road to Perdition bluray, but I agree I’d like to know a whole lot more. I think getting into knowing about DOPs is a real sign of maturing into watching movies, which is why the general public (not geniuses like us) tend to forget about that stuff.
I totally love that shooting scene in the rain too. That, and the introduction of Jude Law’s character are my favourites.
I’m shamed to say with all the talent involved that I still haven’t seen this yet. You made your argument. I’m hunting it down ASAP!
That Brian “I love Sam Mendes” Dutkewich hadn’t seen it was incredible to me. But really, based on it’s box office to incredible talent ratio, there had to have been a lot of people who missed out the first time around. This movie is such a great way to bring a little “class” into your collection… not that your collection is anything but classy. I’ll be awaiting your thoughts on the whole matter.
Love Road to Perdition and it is one of my favorite movie of last decade. It just so beautifully shot and immerses you in the era of the movie so well. The all-star cast delivers and Tom Hanks gives one of his finest performance of the decade. Good review Steve
Thanks Castor! I’m glad nobody took umbrage that I was calling it out on the casting choices – ’cause regardless of what I said, Tom Hanks was great as Michael Sullivan.
Hot damn do I just love this movie. Top drawer casting, stunning visuals and Thomas Newman’s masterful score…what’s not to love?
I see what you mean about Hanks, but I think looking back it worked. I actually wasn’t fond of Law if we’re just throwing out opinions here. Also why cast Daniel Craig in such a detestable role?
Going to pick this up on Blu Ray soon…really looking forward to it!! Oh I just read that there might be a sequel on the way…haven’t read the graphic novel trilogy and I’m not sure if it would have the draw (as Michael Jr would be the only returning cast member). But if Newman scores it, I am so there:)
These were the kind of roles that Daniel Craig was doing back then… before his big break with Layer Cake – or was his big break Tomb Raider? No love for Jude Law, eh? He was such an ultra creep – I totally loved it. The hair and the fingernails alone were a big risk for a guy who played Alfie.
There was so much artistic about this film, it’s up there with Once Upon A Time in America.
The bluray for this is such a great score – that it’s a re-release will keep the price reasonable too.
As for a sequel… Isn’t everyone of any interest dead? And wasn’t the resolution of the story that Michael Jr. would be staying out of trouble and not following in his Dad’s footsteps? I could go for a “side-quel” something happening in Chicago at the same time made by the same crew of people… Roger Deakins would have to step in for Conrad Hall, I suppose.
I thought the same thing too. Sullivan saves his son from the path he’d taken. No more to it than that.
But here’s where I got word of the possible sequel: http://gordonandthewhale.com/road-to-perdition-sequel-on-its-way/
BTW, I love the side-quel idea!!
Okay, that article is kind of creeping me out. I’m game for a sequel I guess, but one, I think it’s been too long in the public arena for a sequel to have any meaning for an overlooked film like Road to Perdition – it’d be kind of like The Two Jakes or something like that. Two, I get the distinct impression that the graphic novel has a way different ending than the film. The message I got was that Michael Jr. was turned away from crime and went on to live a simple life on a farm… Out for revenge? Really?
I know the word is way too overused these days, but a sequel would be awesome! Michael Sullivan in his prime, helping Rooney work his way up to the top of the mafia farm team? Awesome!
Did you know that Soldier was a side-quel for Blade Runner?
Again I thought the same thing. Probably way different from the source material.But holy crap, that’s interesting about Soldier. Is that a pretty well know fact? I don’t think that even if people knew that it would make Soldier any better.
Love Russell but that movie just did nothing for me.
I don’t know if it’s exactly common knowledge, but Blade Runner and Soldier share a writer in common and some of the conflicts you see played out in the earlier parts of Soldier are actually named in Blade Runner. I guess the Jason Scott Lee soldiers are an early version of the Replicants. They talk about it as a sidequel in the Soldier DVD’s special features.
I am a big Kurt Russell fan, and I enjoyed Soldier as a stripped down way to watch him be a tough guy… and also watch Gary Busey tramp around like an old salt. However, the flaws of this film are painfully obvious – no matter what Michael Chiklis tries to do to cover them up.