Some of you movie buffs may deep-six all my reviews with what I have to say next. I have never seen the Godfather. You might want to sit down and count to ten then come back to finish the review. Yes I admit that there are several classics that I have not watched . . .yet. I’ve collated a list of movies that I plan to see and yes the mafia hit is on the top. Anyway with that aside this is a review for the movie Road To Perdition; One of the better movies I have seen in a long time. Fantastic acting, an impressive musical score and a wonderful plot make this movie a definite contender for an Oscar.

Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law play 3 Mafioso’s in a tale that will leave you looking for more. In a world of crime and murder Michael Sullivan sees what his father (Tom Hanks) does for a living. He’s a hit man hired by New York’s underworld leader, Mr. Rooney (Paul Newman). When a calamitous accident transpires, Hanks and his son must run from his former employer. All three actors play exceptional roles in the crime life. Jude Law is brought in to take care of Tom Hanks, who is quite the executioner himself. While watching the movie I was constantly on the lookout for anyone that could potentially be another gangster waiting in the shadow with a Thompson machine gun. The acting in this movie is so sincere that I wonder if any of the main artists were formally working for any shady entrepreneurs.

The orchestration for Road To Perdition is quite fitting. It ties in well with the whole mob theme and the despair that it encompasses. Full of minor notes, somber colour tones, and a heavy dramatic beat, the music sets the mood for a movie of this topic. Many movies have recycled music from classic composers, but Road To Perdition is nothing like I have heard in any other movie. A set of bagpipes were in the piece right in the beginning, as well a strong drum section. I especially took notice of the lugubrious feel of the lone cello towards the end. Music can set a whole mood when you take notice it.

The ending was quite foreseeable if you were paying attention to what was going on. When the film ended I was left to collect my thoughts about what I had just saw. The relationship that had formed between a father and his son over the course of six weeks under strange circumstances was fascinating. Tom Hanks knew that what he has done is unforgivable and tries his hardest to keep his son from following his grim path. But the natural inquisitiveness of children puts the strain on their relationship. A movie that can get its viewers (or at least me) to sit and ponder about its meaning while still admiring its quality makes it a good movie in my book. I give this movie 4 ½ Planets because it should be hard to get a perfect score. This movie is definitely worth your money. I found it very entertaining and well written.
 

Jameson Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Planets


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