Summary Capsule
Mob hitman and son go on a quest for vengeance and ice cream
Summary Capsule
| reviews |
|
It's not really anyone's fault this movie leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Sam Mendes is able to produce amazing images, and Tom Hanks and Paul Newman give in stellar-as-always performances. But none of that can save the movie from its own impregnate of importance. Weighted down with Serious Symbolism, the movie lurches along, oozing a black tar of torpidity over the viewer. A sticky bitter taffy made for Oscar Bait, not the audience. I had the same problem with Mendes's other hit, American Beauty. Both movies resort to cliches and try to call them fresh, have long pans on powerful images, and both have a kind of art-house street cred where supposed to respect and hold up as Real Thinkful Film. While American Beauty was helped by levity and quick wit (It is, at its core, a black comedy) there is no humor in Road to Perdition. Like an overly earnest preacher, its too busy telling us themes too entertain us. Yes, its about redemption and family life and crime. About the mythic symbolism of gangsters and ice-locked Chicago, and the burden of living up to a family name across generations. But why does it have to be this inert? When your most vital character is a cartoonish criminal (played with aplomb by Jude Law), something is off. The Road to Perdition will win lots of awards come Oscar time, it will further Tom Hank's Canonization, and be regarded as a very meaningful and essential film. |
| extras |
 2002 Rated R Gangster Drama Director
Starring
|
Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?
We have no idea (but we'll let you know soon!)
The Movie Store!
Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]
Anthony LaPaglia, who played Frank Nitti, Al Capone's right-hand man in Nitti, was originally to have played Capone himself in this movie, but it was decided to leave Copone off-screen and so, in the end, he didn't appear.
Inspired by the Japanese manga "Kozure Okami" (Lone Wolf & Cub) by Kazuo Koike and Kojima, and the film series of the same name.
The movie is loosely based on actual events and a real enforcer of mobster John Looney who was betrayed. According to original author 'Allan Collins, Max' real life gangsters John and Connor Looney's names were changed to Rooney for the film.
Maguire's character, Jude Law is based on Arthur Fellig nicknamed "Weegee", a photographer who wandered the streets of New York in the 1930's, taking pictures of crime scenes and selling them to the police. The photos in Maguire's apartment are real 1930's crime scene photos, some of which taken by Weegee..
Official and Not-So-Official Websites
"chopsticks" bit from Big again! |
Michael: He murdered Annie and Peter!
John: 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: Michael could.
John: Then do everything that you can to see that that happens.
Michael: [about a camera] Is that your hobby or your...profession?
Maguire: Both, I guess. To get paid to do what you love...ain't that the dream?
John: Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.
Michael Sullivan, Jr: People always ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man. And I always give them the same answer. He was my father.
John: A man of honor always keeps his word.
John: You would like to apologize? Try again.
John: May you get to Heaven an hour before the Devil knows you're dead
Michael Jr: So when do I get my share of the money?
Michael: How much do you want?
Michael Jr: Two hundred dollars!
Michael: Okay. Deal.
Michael Jr: Could I have had more?
Michael: You'll never know.
If you liked this movie, try these:
Feedback
DnaError's Rating: Ponderous Portant produces puffed up piffle