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Road To Perdition
Sam Mendes follows American Beauty with this handsome adaptation of a renowned graphic novel. Tom Hanks stars as the wronged enforcer of mob boss Paul Newman
Tom Hanks as a stern father and grim mob enforcer? It's a long long way from Joe Versus the Volcano, heck, this guy even makes Hanks' Captain John Miller from Saving Private Ryan Mike is the chief enforcer and surrogate son of 1930s Irish-American mob boss John Rooney (Newman). When Rooney's unstable, jealous son Connor (Daniel Craig) kills one of his father's bootlegging associates (Ciar??n Hinds), the act is witnessed by Mike's son Michael Jr (Tyler Hoechlin), who was intrigued to find out what his dad's job is. The undisciplined Connor, afraid that Mike Jr will talk, tries to silence the family. He kills Mrs Sullivan (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and her younger son, but the Mikes elude him. Mike Sr is now set on a path of vengeance that will see him taking on not just the forces of Looney - including creepy photographer-hit man Maguire (Jude Law) - but also those of his Chicago ally, one Al Capone, represented through his associate Frank Nitti (Stanley Tucci). Of course, the drive of this vintage slice of gangster lore is Mike Sr's bloody revenge, but the story also benefits from a human edge, as father and son bond. Similarly, the story also shows Mike Jr's premature coming of age, as he is forced to contend not only with the slaying of his brother and mother, but also with handling a gun and becoming his father's getaway driver (Mike Sr, in an attempt to force Connor out of Capone's protection, criss-crosses Midwestern America liberating the mobster's dirty money, stashed in rural banks). Despite these two levels, the film is, however, remarkably lean. The script is spare - Hanks in particular broods more than talks - while the plotting is straightforward and devoid of strands. Arguably this keeps the progress focussed, but in comparison to the superb graphic novel written by Max Allan Collins and illustrated by Richard Piers Rayner it's disappointing. The novel, inspired not only by a true story from 1930s mobster lore involving mob boss John Looney but also by the classic Japanese ronin manga 'Lone Wolf And Cub', has greater depth not just in the layers of the story, but also in the extraordinary period detail (Collins is a true crime expert; Rayner spent four years on the artwork). Where the movie really excels is in its look and feel. The production design by Coen brothers collaborator Dennis Glassner, the cinematography by veteran Conrad Hall (who shot American Beauty and classics like Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid ), the art direction by Richard L Johnson and other such technical aspects as the lighting are all of the absolute highest quality. Mendes does a commendable job of corralling such a team. Mendes' film also benefits from an excellent cast, with Tucci, Craig, Hanks and newcomer Hoechlin all giving well-judged performances; but it's Newman who really stands out. Despite his advanced years - he's 77 - the man still has remarkable presence. Verdict The storyline of Sam Mendes' second feature may feel meagre, but this is a very classy production. Technically superb - from the look to the acting, notably that from septuagenarian screen legend Newman. |
