30 second bottom line: A boy is on the run with his father after his former "godfather" decides that they must be killed because they aren't trusted to keep their knowledge of a murder a secret. Father and son bond, lessons are learned in a manner more timely for the son than the father.
Story Line: Everyone has their own sense of morality and in some cases it's easier to understand than in others. Mobster boss John Rooney (Paul Newman) seems like a guy who flexes his muscles and uses his power only to the extent necessary to have his way. His credo is "a man of honor always pays his debts and keeps his word."
Like the recent Tom Cruise film "Minority Report," "Road to Perdition" creates a film noir tone with a dark mood. Like director Sam Mendes' American Beauty, this film too has a strong moral message but in no way will be considered a dark comedy. Perdition is the name of a town where Michael Sullivan's (Tom Hanks) sister-in-law lives. Webster's dictionary defines perdition as "the loss of the soul, eternal damnation, hell and utter ruin."
Set in 1931, when gangsters were getting rich off of liquor because it was illegal to brew beer and spirits, Michael was taken under the wing of John Rooney. He and his wife Annie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) have a very nice home and two young sons, the older being Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin). When Jr. becomes overly inquisitive about how his father earns his money and sees him remove a gun when he changes his clothes for dinner, he stows away in the back seat of his dad's Buick when he has to work late one night.
At the funeral for his brother at Rooney's mansion, Finn (Ciara Hinds) says some things about Rooney, during a speech, that require a follow up visit…he needs a talking to…nothing more. Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig), John's son, is a misfit who is jealous of the relationship between his dad and Michael. When Connor and Michael go to speak to Finn, shooting breaks out and Michael Jr. is a witness. John talks to Jr., whom he had played dice with at the funeral, and Rooney is confident that Jr. will never tell what he saw. Connor, however, has all the doubts in the world and after he attacks Sullivan's family, Michael goes on the run with Jr. to escape what now is a situation out of control.
Michael makes a trip to Chicago to visit with Frank Nitti, one of the bosses working for mob leader Al Capone. Capone and Rooney have put out a contract on Michael and his son, with newspaper photographer and assassin-for-hire, Maguire (Jude Law). Michael wants his freedom but he also seeks revenge on those who turned his life upside down.
Bullets start to fly and lots of people die. Jr., who is only 12-years-old, learns lessons that his father learned when it was too late to change the course of his life. The easy way is often not the right way or best way. In some instances the old cliché "pay me now or pay me later" could not be more applicable; as when you create a debt that will be paid in full, with interest added.
The pacing and music of the film are in keeping with "A BeautifulMind."The violence will keep some people from being comfortable with the film. Placing one's family in harm's way is usually something we have control over.
Some people did not like "Training Day" because Denzel Washington was a bad guy from the core out. For that performance he got the Academy Award as Best Actor. Tom Hanks is not the good character you are used to seeing so prepare yourself for his dark side. "Road to Perdition" could be called redemption and wisdom¾and this road may lead to a third best actor award for Tom Hanks. The Oscar race is on, smack dab in the middle of summer rather than waiting until the Christmas holidays. This is a film with a story and performances you will not easily forget.
DVD