For his second feature film, director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) throws us into a dark, gritty adaptation of a graphic novel set in the world of crime in 1931 in The Road to Perdition. Tom Hanks is Michael Sullivan, a hitman for John Rooney (Paul Newman). Sullivan’s son Michael Jr., curious about his father’s work, hides in the car when Sullivan goes out on a job. He ends up witnessing the execution of a business associate of Rooney’s, and before you know it, Sullivan’s wife and other son are murdered, and Sullivan & Son are on the run. It’s a rather engaging tale about morality, revenge, innocence, and justice.
I went to see this movie at The Grove with Sean, and in a nutshell, this is without a doubt the best film I have seen all year. I cannot think of anything else that comes close. The direction, story, acting, dialogue, music, cinematography – it’s all top notch. After the film, Sean and I headed over to Stir Crazy to get some drinks, hang out, and talk. It was a very nice evening. If this film doesn’t get all the Oscar nominations I’m expecting it to get, then I will be very surprised. Go out and see the film. Seriously.