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IMDb > Road to Perdition (2002)
Road to Perdition
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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   77,374 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Max Allan Collins (graphic novel) and
Richard Piers Rayner (graphic novel) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Road to Perdition on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 July 2002 (USA) more
Tagline:
Pray for Michael Sullivan more
Plot:
Bonds of loyalty are put to the test when a hitman's son witnesses what his father does for a living. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 18 wins & 51 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(117 articles)
The best comic book film adaptations of the decade?
 (From The Geek Files. 2 January 2010, 11:22 AM, PST)

Kirk’s Top 10 of 2009
 (From WeAreMovieGeeks.com. 1 January 2010, 3:36 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
A subtle masterwork of a great forthcoming director! more (921 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tom Hanks ... Michael Sullivan

Tyler Hoechlin ... Michael Sullivan Jr.
Rob Maxey ... Drugstore Owner

Paul Newman ... John Rooney

Liam Aiken ... Peter Sullivan

Jude Law ... Harlen Maguire

Jennifer Jason Leigh ... Annie Sullivan

Daniel Craig ... Connor Rooney

Ciarán Hinds ... Finn McGovern
Craig Spidle ... Rooney's Henchman
Ian Barford ... Rooney's Henchman
Stephen P. Dunn ... Finn McGovern's Henchman (as Stephen Dunn)
Paul Turner ... Finn McGovern's Henchman
Kathleen Keane ... Irish Musician
Brendan McKinney ... Irish Musician
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for violence and language.
Runtime:
117 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Producer Dean Zanuck had never seen a graphic novel before until he was pitched the idea of "Road to Perdition". Flicking through the pages of the novel, he was immediately hooked. He then sent a copy to his father, Richard D. Zanuck, who was on location in Morocco at the time. He also was smitten with the project and instructed his son to dispatch a copy of the novel to Steven Spielberg, who called back two days later, saying that he wanted to do it. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The Catholic clergy's vestments have a more modern "poncho" style chasuble. In the 1930s, they would have worn the "fiddle-back" style. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Some say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931. This is our story.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Supermarket (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Perdition - Piano Duet more

FAQ

Is Road to Perdition a remake of Lone Wolf and Cub?
Why did Mike kill Mr. Kelly?/Did he take the money?
The film ends with a dedication to Conrad L. Hall. Who was he?
more
67 out of 86 people found the following review useful.
A subtle masterwork of a great forthcoming director!, 9 September 2002
9/10
Author: Chase Bradburn (brooksmurphy-1) from Vancouver, B.C.

This couldn't have been better. The strong restraints on Mike Sullivan's expressions couldn't have been portrayed in any other way. Tom Hanks delivers the best performance of his career. Young Tyler Hoechlin drives an emotional wheel; playing the basis character for the story. And veteran Paul Newman gives one of his best character performances in a long time.

This film is based on a bold graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner. This is a father/son story which basically employs the two candidates solely unfit for the roles. Mike Sullivan had no father as a child, so John Rooney took him in. Although a generous man, Mr. Rooney involved himself in organized crime. Therefore, the debt of Sullivan was only to be paid off in involving himself in the business. Now, Sullivan has a wife and two children and is trying to keep his children safe, but at the same time pay back his boss. The events to follow, will test Sullivan's loyalty and embrace his family's fate.

With a great adaptation by David Self, the dialogue comes out seldomly, but yet very virtuous. The story unfolds in a beautiful 1930's setting (Brilliant Art Direction by Richard L. Johnson & Nancy Haigh) covered with a dark rainy (snow on the ground) exterior. Driving the story, is Thomas Newman's wonderful Irish score, settling in only when necessary.

But the most important technical element in the film is Conrad L. Hall's beautiful photography. This is some of the best cinematography I've seen; and I watch a lot of films. The scene when Mike and Michael are in the car, entering Chicago is quite impressive. The shot starts at the front of the car, revealing Mike(Hanks) through the windshield. It subsequently dollys around to the side of the car, to see Michael(Hoechlin) awakening and peering out his side window. As it continues, it trucks sideways and dollys back, completely around the car and reveals a gorgeous scenic 1930's Chicago.

With a great cast and crew, the principle man creates a brazenly amazing film. I'm talking about Sam Mendes, who made his feature film debut in 1999 with American Beauty. (won him various awards) Before American Beauty, Mendes worked as a play director for the British Theater, but decided that he wanted to move on saying that there was nothing new for him in theater. With only two films, Sam Mendes has marked himself in my book as one of the great directors (In a list of about twenty-five).

The film illuminates a brazen genre that has its hits and misses and expresses the true theme brilliantly. The photography, acting and story is phenominal. I'm still waiting for Scorcesee's Gangs of New York, but for now, I'm fully confident in saying that this is the "Best Film of the Year". Considering it's competition (Signs, Insomnia, Minority Report) thats a strong statement.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Road to Perdition (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Who's performance was best: Hanks, Newman or Law? maxpowersmdh
'And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven.' Desttinyy
Why cast Tom Hanks for this role? gordml
Anyone else see the end coming? **SPOILERS** QTJewels19
Was Andy Garcia in this movie? gordml
Rance...(spoilers) Insom_Psycho
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