Originally published in the UCD College Tribune, 2002

Michael Sullivan is something of a mystery to his family. His wife and sons know that he works for Mr Rooney, but what he actually does eludes them. When Michael, Mike’s eldest son decides to stow away in his father’s car one night he finds out. Mike Sullivan is a gangster. Unfortunately, Michael witnesses a messy murder, and after his mother and brother are murdered Michael and his father are united for the first time as they run from the formidable Mr Rooney.

Directed by Sam Mendes, “Road to Perdition” is a film to be savoured. The subject matter may be well worn, but Mendes shows us the gangster world of America in the 1930′s with grace, fluidity and ease. He teams up once more with Thomas Newman (who wrote the score for “American Beauty”) and proceeds to re-break the hearts he broke with Lester Burnam. Mendes shows his versatility and the talent that makes him one of Hollywood’s hottest properties by moving away from modern suburbia and into the dark underbelly of Irish-American gangsters.

Mendes has the cinematic eye and ability to transform blood soaked vengeance into visual poetry, the score drowns out the sound of Tommy guns and the cries of dying men, but the scene gains power and elegance.

Tom Hanks shows his diversity as hero and anti-hero. The wronged father and husband out for justice, who will kill any man who stands in his way, but striving, at the same time to save the soul of his son, to prevent him from following in his father’s footsteps. Paul Newman lights up the screen as gangster patriarch John Rooney. He is both cold-hearted killer and a jovial grandfather figure. Jude Law shines as photographer-cum-killer who only photographs the dead, his usual good looks disguised by filthy nails, stained teeth and a receding hairline. But the true rising star of this film is Tyler Hoechlin (Michael Jr). He acts with the sophistication of an adult and the innocence of a child.

The story is told through the eyes of Michael Jr, as he watches his father reveal his true self, but still manage to remain a hero in his son’s eyes. the film is rain soaked and dismal, but still manages to delight with sweeping cinematography, haunting score and acting par excellence.

The subject matter of “Road to Perdition” may have been well trodden, but not by Sam Mendes. the joy is, this is only his second movie.