Road to Perdition

I'm glad it was you

Years from now, maybe even current day, Road to Perdition will be something that is required watching for a cinematography class. The camera work is the major appeal in this film. Whether it is consciously noted or not, there are periods of several minutes where less than five lines of dialogue are spoken. Accolades should be given to David Self for making the lines bait us like a large-mouthed bass. From the general consensus, it seems Road to Perdition is a distant cousin of the graphic novel source material.

I tend to be a sucker for mob and crime stories. Some of my favorite films include The Godfather, Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Reservoir Dogs, L.A. Confidential, and Donnie Brasco. So, a 1930s period piece about Chicago-area gangsters starring Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, and Jude Law made me salivate a bit. Though I was very pleased with the movie, it seemed like the mob/gangster storyline was a sub-plot to a superb father/son tale. The overlay worked very well. Remember in The Godfather how, although Sonny was the first choice, Michael ends up filling the role his father made iconic? Well, in this tale we see a father who goes to great lengths to ensure his son does not fill his role.

McGuire, the crime scene photographer villain (played by Jude Law), lights up the screen in every scene he's featured. His balding hair, yellowed teeth, and black-room tinted skin suit this villain to his creepiest of levels. I had recently re-watched this film, but I remember on my initial viewing thinking that the diner scene, where McGuire and Tom Hank's character meet, was one of the best.

This is an astounding follow-up to American Beauty from director Sam Mendes. Often overlooked, and sometimes forgotten, Road To Perdition works on an emotional level and visual level. Without hyperbole, I recommend anyone who is a fan of film to behold this triumph.