Road to Perdition (2002)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Albert K

  
  Awwwwwwwww snaaapppp. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, & Daniel Craig. Sam Mendes, the director of "American Beauty". Game over everyone. lol, too bad this is one of the most cliche mafia movies I've ever seen, but it executes it with high production values, an excellent… More
  Awwwwwwwww snaaapppp. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, & Daniel Craig. Sam Mendes, the director of "American Beauty". Game over everyone. lol, too bad this is one of the most cliche mafia movies I've ever seen, but it executes it with high production values, an excellent screenplay, and cinematography that is done to a perfection that makes the familiar feel fresh. One thing to note is that there is a particular scene in "Road to Perdition" that is one of the most incredible scenes I've ever seen in cinema history. "Road to Perdition" may feel familiar at times, but it takes the familiar and perfects it.

• Brad W

  
  Road to Perdition is a brilliant and heart wrenching movie. Tom Hanks should've had an Oscar nomination and the kid deserves more credit too. Tom Hanks plays Micheal Sullivan and Tyler Hoechlin plays his son, Micheal is a gangster who works for close friend John Rooney (Paul… More
  Road to Perdition is a brilliant and heart wrenching movie. Tom Hanks should've had an Oscar nomination and the kid deserves more credit too. Tom Hanks plays Micheal Sullivan and Tyler Hoechlin plays his son, Micheal is a gangster who works for close friend John Rooney (Paul Newman), the friendship between the two makes Johns son (Daniel Craig) very jealous, making him kill Micheals wife and and his younger son, leaving him with his older son and the teo have always been very distant. Together the two go on a journey for vengence, happiness, and a friendship between father and son. The plot was not only genius but it also never gets boring because the music in this movie is so tremendous it makes it seem awesome even during the boring moments, even though there were none. The supporting cast is tremendous, espically Daniel Craig and Paul Newman. This movie is historically accurate, and overall one of the best gangster movies ever made.

• Kase V

  
  Sam Mendes' 'Road to Perdition' is an extremely well crafted film with skill and style created by its talented director. Besides an obviously splendid cast filled with overlooked performances (Craig, Tucci, Law), the films cinematography is used as such a powerful tool,… More
  Sam Mendes' 'Road to Perdition' is an extremely well crafted film with skill and style created by its talented director. Besides an obviously splendid cast filled with overlooked performances (Craig, Tucci, Law), the films cinematography is used as such a powerful tool, a way to advance the story without actually using words. The film is mounted to perfection, completely devoid of cliches as a mob gangster film. The film also ends on an unpredictable note, pure genius from Mendes for catching everyone off guard. Road to Perdition's only flaw, if any, might only be that it lacked the emotional depth it was trying to portray throughout the story. That, along with a slow pace some viewers may find a problem with (not me) are the only negatives i could scrape away from the film, but the emotional depth needed to be there. A winning film, through and through, 'Road to Perdition' deserves every shred of recognition its been given, and then some. You can thank Sam Mendes for that.

• Jeff "

  
  Road To Perdition is a different type of gangster film. Starring Tom Hanks and directed by American Beauty director Sam Mendes, Road To Perdition follows a mob Hit man played by Tom Hanks who's son witnesses one of his hits, he is placed at a crossroads. Choosing between his… More
  Road To Perdition is a different type of gangster film. Starring Tom Hanks and directed by American Beauty director Sam Mendes, Road To Perdition follows a mob Hit man played by Tom Hanks who's son witnesses one of his hits, he is placed at a crossroads. Choosing between his family or his employers. When one of Sullivans (Hanks) colleagues murders his family, the decision has clearly been made. I thoroughly enjoyed this film because it's a drastic departure from previous gangster films, which is a breath of fresh air. Tom Hanks delivers a terrific performance, and director Sam Mendes has an eye on the period pieces which really come through on film. The film has a good emphasis on storytelling with a few bits here and there of action. The film is slowly paced to let the story unfold. A terrific film that will appeal to fans of old school gangster films, Road To Perdition is a film that takes a different approach to the gangster genre and in doing so, it's a step above the usual. A work of originality with phenomenal acting and directing, Road To Perdition is one of the best gangster films of recent memory. A different change of pace that works well because the actors involved give splendid performances and Mendes has crafted his best film since American Beauty. I would definitely put Road To Perdition on my list of favorite gangster films. What we have here is a film that successfully breaks new ground in the gangster genre and it does it very well.

• Sophie B

  
  The first half was boring and didn't grip me into the story. I didn't care about the characters. Yeah the acting was good but other the narrative just made me want to walk away. Towards the end after Paul Newman got shot was FANTASTIC. I really wish it had been like this… More
  The first half was boring and didn't grip me into the story. I didn't care about the characters. Yeah the acting was good but other the narrative just made me want to walk away. Towards the end after Paul Newman got shot was FANTASTIC. I really wish it had been like this from the start. The way lighting, sound and colour was used after this point was brilliant. I really felt for the boy at the end.

• Lady D

  
  Whilst this is a mobster movie set in older times, the true story focusses on the relationship between father & son and disloyalty in the ranks. I like Hanks in this role, he was really toned down to his usual loud and animated self, for a much more inward role.

• Tim S

  
  Great modern gangster classic.

• Conner R

  
  Such an amazing movie and great adaption. The acting was perfect and the directing was precise and looked extremely polished. The visual style was beautiful, especially with no cgi aids. It is a classically told story about morality and revenge.

• Anthony L

  
  Overall I was quite disappointed with this film, mainly due to being a big fan of the comic and the fact it was hyped up to be the best thing since sliced bread by most film review magazines.

• Josh L

  
  Well acted and beautifully made, but emotionally distant. I admired its craft, but I didn't really enjoy the movie very much.

• Ross C

  
  A great Tom Hanks movie where you really feel for the characters. The second-half is thrilling, but I was disappointed by the ending that just felt too contrived and predictable.

• Cassandra M

  
  i think that this film is brilliant.there are many reasons why but these are some of them 1)the good acting by Tom and Tyler 2) brilliant machine gun scene that was a piece of brilliance 3) i thought that the ending was a good twist because i never expected that at the end all credit… More
  i think that this film is brilliant.there are many reasons why but these are some of them 1)the good acting by Tom and Tyler 2) brilliant machine gun scene that was a piece of brilliance 3) i thought that the ending was a good twist because i never expected that at the end all credit to Sam Mendes.as well as a these 3 points the film form of the film is good as well. i am a film student at college and we studied this film in great detail and it was one of the best films i have seen in many years. i'd just like to say a big thank you to all of the people involved in making this film. lastly i would like to say the best scene in the film is the machine gun scene where John Rooney gets kill it is just pure brilliance in shooting the scene in silence until John Rooney says " i'm glad it's you" it is a lot better like that i think because the viewer creates there own sound and that sound is totally different for every viewer just brilliant.

• Jennifer X

  
  This is a different kind of gangster movie, colder somehow, and less family-oriented. Mendes' signature, I think, is to evoke a mood. And there's this permanent melancholy that kind of envelops all characters and sceneries. But moods don't make movies and the story… More
  This is a different kind of gangster movie, colder somehow, and less family-oriented. Mendes' signature, I think, is to evoke a mood. And there's this permanent melancholy that kind of envelops all characters and sceneries. But moods don't make movies and the story itself is not the most interesting.

• Lorenzo v

  
  What a way to start a day. I saw this in a typically sun shiny morning and I can tell you if you are up for a depressing yet wonderful film to jumpstart your day, I suggest Road to Perdition. The film is about a mob gangster Michael Sullivan who was betrayed by his boss bceause his… More
  What a way to start a day. I saw this in a typically sun shiny morning and I can tell you if you are up for a depressing yet wonderful film to jumpstart your day, I suggest Road to Perdition. The film is about a mob gangster Michael Sullivan who was betrayed by his boss bceause his son, Michael Jr inadvertently witnesses a murder. So, to tie all loose ends, mob boss John Rooney decides to kill his loyal right-hand man. But when Connor Rooney, John Rooney's son, mercilessly kills his family (only his older son Michael Jr surviving), he decides to go on a vendetta to avenge his family's death. The story is not your typical gangster film. There's no police cops to arrest mob bosses here nor drug cartels for that matter. The story is focused on Michael Sullivan's revenge on the people who betrayed him. Sam Mendes and the writers managed to excellently blend a father-and-child story angle in a gangster themed story. The performances were great. Tom Hanks as usual delivers, Jude Law unexpectedly sent chills down to my ancestors as a creepy looking psychopath/photographer. Paul Newman as the aging mob boss was great as well. One minute you hate him for betraying his loyal right-hand man, the next minute you don't want him to die soaking wet. Daniel Craig, before James Bond, portrayed an annoying scheming mischievous son to a mob boss. He had it coming to him. Yes, he was spot on with his performance too. The best scene in the entire film would probably be when Michael Sullivan ambushed John Rooney and his mob thugs drenched in rain. Sam Mendes did this slow-mo shot when Michael was shooting them with a machine gun in a distant house and the thugs were like dropping like flies and John was by the car, with his head down realizing his grim fate. Michael killed all of them except John. So, he approached him with gun in his hand, John turns to him, almost into tears and utters what probably is the best line of the film: "I'm glad its you". Michael with a sad look then shoots him down. That scene will stay in my head forever. It was emotional, sad, depressing and it almost wanna make you cry but somehow you feel that the Michael character is doing the right thing. Very poetic scene to be remembered for ages.

• danny d

  
  everytime i watch this film it touches me more. it hits me even harder now that i have kids. in my opinion, this is easily one of the most underrated films of all time, and absolutely beautiful portrayal of redemption and family. the acting was great, the score was perfect and a… More
  everytime i watch this film it touches me more. it hits me even harder now that i have kids. in my opinion, this is easily one of the most underrated films of all time, and absolutely beautiful portrayal of redemption and family. the acting was great, the score was perfect and a bit haunting, and the cinematography was among the greatest work of all time. one of newmans final films, i watched this the day he died as a tribute to his legacy. a masterpiece.

• Roy G

  
  A period mob story, and a good one.

• Aaron N

  
  Michael Sullivan: He murdered Annie and Peter! John Rooney: There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven. Michael Sullivan: Michael could. John Rooney: Then do… More
  Michael Sullivan: He murdered Annie and Peter! John Rooney: There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven. Michael Sullivan: Michael could. John Rooney: Then do everything that you can to see that that happens. Director Sam Mendes' follow up to American Beauty proves to be one of the best looking movies that I've seen. Based on a comic book of the same name, the story involves the Irish and Italian mob, during Prohibition era. Taking place in 1931 Chicago area, a hitman for the mob must take revenge after some of his family is murdered by the people he works for. This is due to his son witnessing the kind of work his father does for the first time. Problem is, the hitman sees his boss as his own father, and the man he wants to kill is his father's actual son. Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Does Mama know? Michael Sullivan: Your mother knows I love Mr. Rooney. When we had nothing, he gave us a home... a life... and we owe him. Tom Hanks stars as the hitman, Mike Sullivan, in a role somewhat against type, but he does good enough in a role that is fairly underwritten. Paul Newman is also good, but that's hard not to expect. He is the mob boss conflicted by his two sons, and having to make a choice of life or death between them. John Rooney: Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers. The best comes from Jude Law as one of the creepiest hitmen I've seen who looks rat like, with a cold demeanor, and likes to photograph the dead bodies. Maguire: I shoot the dead. Dead bodies, that is. I don't kill them. Tyler Hoechlin as Hanks' son, Michael Jr., is also very good, along with the supporting cast that includes Daniel Craig and Stanley Tucci. Being based on a graphic novel, this movie really is all about it's looks for the most part, but it is still worthwhile, with a couple of moving scenes. The score is also terrific. The emphasis of style over substance is presence, but it also leads to less dialog and exposition, in favor of letting the audience understand the story through what is shown. The score and visual style make this worth seeing. The characters are handled well enough, despite the majority of them being cold blooded. The story is ok, but this is a very well made film. Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Did you like Peter more than me? Michael Sullivan: No. I loved you both the same. Michael Sullivan, Jr.: You were always... different with me. Michael Sullivan: Was I? [Sullivan thinks for a while] Michael Sullivan: Well, I suppose it was because Peter was just... such a sweet little boy, you know? And you... you were more like me. And I... didn't want you to be.

• Ginny  

  
  Oh man, for a mobster movie, this one definitely had me crying! Was expecting a bit more action from Jude Law, but that was that.. If youre looking for action, this <b>isnt</b> the movie to watch. But if youre looking for a tear jerker, try adding this on your list.

• Curtis L

  
  Great gangster movie about family and jude laws nasty teeth.

• Summer W

  
  Breathtaking.

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