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Amazon.co.uk Review
A movie with an impeccable pedigree, Road to Perdition is director Sam Mendes' impressive follow-up to American Beauty, and features remarkable contributions from veteran cinematographer Conrad Hall, composer Thomas Newman and a cast of thespian brilliance led by Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law. Unfortunately, all their fine efforts have been lavished on an essentially predictable story, adapted from the graphic novel, which here unfolds in an overly leisurely fashion. The result is a movie that looks wonderful but feels a little too much like a contrived morality play.
Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a family man but also a hit man in the employ of mob boss John Rooney (Newman). A surrogate father-figure to Sullivan, Rooney also has a wayward real son, Connor (Daniel Craig), whose duplicity leads to a deadly alienation between the Rooney family and Sullivan. Forced to go on the run with his own 12-year-old son, Michael junior (Tyler Hoechlin), Sullivan seeks both revenge and a way to prevent his boy from one day taking the same dark road as himself. Thus the Road to Perdition becomes both a literal and metaphorical journey for the protagonists.
It wouldn't matter that there's little tension or doubt about the outcome, except that Hanks' character is all too clearly a decent chap at heart, thus undermining from the outset any sense of a real "journey" towards redemption. It remains a delight to see all the principals acting at their peak and so capably directed, but ultimately Road to Perdition seems like a series of magnificently staged set-pieces that doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts.
On the DVD: Road to Perdition is presented in an anamorphic version of its original theatrical 2.35:1 ratio with accompanying Dolby 5.1 or DTS sound options. Both picture and sound make the most of the impeccable photography and production design. Extras are a feature commentary from Mendes, a series of deleted scenes also with optional commentary, a standard HBO making of featurette, plus photos, text notes and a trailer for the CD soundtrack. --Mark Walker
Special Features
Audio Commentary by the director Sam Mendes
11 Deleted Scenes
HBO Special: The making of Road to Perdition
CD Soundtrack - International Version
Photo Gallery (50 stills)
Cast Biographies
Filmmakers Biographies
Production Notes
11 Deleted Scenes
HBO Special: The making of Road to Perdition
CD Soundtrack - International Version
Photo Gallery (50 stills)
Cast Biographies
Filmmakers Biographies
Production Notes
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Wide-screen 16x9) Sound & Picture Quality: Dolby 5.1/DTS
Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Norwegian
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw Road to perdition on the back of good reviews when it came out at the cinema but knew little of what it was about. I can see why it got such good reviews as the acting is superb and is well directed. Basically a young boy realises that his dad is a hitman for the local ganster in 1930's Capone era. Can't reveal much more without spoling the plot.
The film does come across as quite dark and broody, it's a bit slow to start but 20mins in it picks up and you will be engrossed until the end, which however is a bit predictable. Overall a good film well worth watching.
The film does come across as quite dark and broody, it's a bit slow to start but 20mins in it picks up and you will be engrossed until the end, which however is a bit predictable. Overall a good film well worth watching.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have just finished watching the film and it goes straight into my top 10 all time favourites.
It's a thinking man's gangster film with an Irish flavour rather than the usual Italian.
All performances were top rate but what I enjoyed most was the atmosphere of the film with dark rainy nights and beautiful scenery and music.
The film was in danger of being too dark and depressing but the storyline of Tom Hanks teaching his son to drive provided the needed uplift.
I did see the final twist before it happened which was unfortunate but nevertheless a brilliant film.
It's a thinking man's gangster film with an Irish flavour rather than the usual Italian.
All performances were top rate but what I enjoyed most was the atmosphere of the film with dark rainy nights and beautiful scenery and music.
The film was in danger of being too dark and depressing but the storyline of Tom Hanks teaching his son to drive provided the needed uplift.
I did see the final twist before it happened which was unfortunate but nevertheless a brilliant film.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a sweeping epic, with some amazing imagery and some superb acting talent on show. Its great to see Paul Newman back for another film along with Jude Law who plays a total wacko crime photographer/hitman and plays the role with relish. But its Hanks who steals the show, the man cant seem to do wrong in the world of movies over the past 10 years of so. I feel this is his strongest role to date, and probably his hardest as he plays a man who's on one side a father, and on the other a cold blooded killer. This is an absolute gem of a film, and one everyone should rush out and see. Sam Mendes deserves a well earned pat on the back.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Emotional rollacoster
if you like to be taken on a journey for a film and let the films take you on an emotional rollacoaster this is deffinatly one of those films very manipulative in its ways of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gigi
Beautiful Movie
This is the best gangster movie since The Godfather. Sam Mendes breathtaking vision comes to life in an explosive and visually stunning epic.
Published 2 months ago by Mel Santino
Fantastic film AND score.
An absolute triumph for both Sam Mendes and Thomas Newman. A wonderful dark, soulful 30's gangster movie with heart warming moments. Brutal at times, as you'd expect. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Anthony Marshall
Great Film
This film is one of my favourites, i would go as far as to say it is in my top 10! Theres nothing about the film I dont like, its got a great cast, storyline and filmed really... Read more
Published 6 months ago by leecowton
A Modern Classic
This is one of the best gangster movies of all time. This is one of the best 'graphic novel turned film' movies of all time. This is nothing more than a modern classic. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Aidan M
Tom Hanks does a great job again
Its a great film from start to finish, some great performances from Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
A classic gangster flick up there with the Goodfellas and the Godfather.
A classic gangster flick up there with the Goodfellas and the Godfather.
Published 12 months ago by chrisdude
Damnation Alleyway.
When his son witnesses him applying a hit, mob enforcer Michael Sullivan finds that the man whom he likened to a father has ordered a hit on him and his family. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Spike Owen
Perfect transfer for perfect film!
Transfer is beautiful! Colors are rich even though the general color pallette is more monochromatic. The cinematography really shines here on blu. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lisa A. Conant
BLU-RAY REVIEW
Road to Perdition has a great story that's carried out by a fantastic cast. I've always felt it's a little too short though keeping it off my 'greatest' list. Read more
Published 24 months ago by The usual suspect
A truly beautiful film
This film is a very well acted film. I will say that the performances are slightly weak at times; but for the most part, the acting is very good. Read more
Published on 28 May 2010 by Selbs
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