The Bottom Line
I thought the acting and cinematography were superb in this film, but the screenplay gave the movie a genre feel, and the characters were not fully developed.
Pros
- Outstanding cinematography by Conrad L. Hall
- Strong performances by Tom Hanks and Paul Newman
- Superb sets and costumes
Cons
- Movie has a genre feel (could be a pro)
- Characters not fully developed
- Needed more complexity to be emotionally involving
Description
- DVD containing drama “Road to Perdition”
- Film stars Tom Hanks and Paul Newman
- Movie nominated for six Academy Awards
- DVD has a number of bonus materials
- Excellent picture quality
- Excellent sound quality
Guide Review - "Road to Perdition" DVD Review
Tom Hanks and Paul Newman star in this drama about Depression-era mobsters in Illinois. Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, who was taken in years ago and brought up like a son by mob boss John Rooney (Newman). A chain of events occurs that end up with Sullivan’s wife and one of his sons being murdered by Rooney’s biological son, and Sullivan seeks revenge while trying to protect his surviving 12-year-old son. I thought the acting and cinematography were superb in this film. But the screenplay gave the movie a genre feel, and the characters were not fully developed. Especially as the film reached its climax, the depth and resonance I longed for were lacking.
