Road to Perdition (2002)
Coming Out at 12 July 2002 in theaters.
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Road to Perdition is crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes. The screenplay was adapted by David Self from the graphic novel of the same name written by Max Allan Collins and illustrated by Richard Piers Rayner. The film stars Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, and Daniel Craig. The plot takes place in 1931, during the Great Depression, following a mob enforcer and his son as they seek vengeance against a mobster who murdered the rest of their family.
Filming took place in the Chicago area. Mendes, having recently finished 1999’s acclaimed American Beauty, pursued a story that had minimal dialogue and conveyed emotion in the imagery. Cinematographer Conrad L. Hall took advantage of the environment to create symbolism for the film, for which he won several awards, including a posthumous Academy Award for Best Cinematography. The film explores several themes, including the consequence of violence and father-son relationships.
In 1931, during the Great Depression, Michael Sullivan, Sr. is an enforcer for Irish mob boss John Rooney in Rock Island, Illinois. Rooney raised the orphan Sullivan and loves him more than his own biological son, Connor. Rooney holds a wake in his home for the brother of an associate, Finn McGovern. McGovern is clearly agitated and indirectly suggests the Rooney family is responsible. Rooney sends Connor and Sullivan to meet with McGovern, under orders just to talk, but Connor shoots him, resulting in Sullivan gunning down McGovern’s men. Sullivan’s twelve-year-old son Michael Jr. has hidden in his father’s car and witnesses the event. Sullivan swears his son to secrecy and Rooney gets his own personal assurance. Rooney pressures Connor to apologize for his reckless action.
Director: Sam Mendes
Writers: Max Allan Collins (graphic novel), Richard Piers Rayner (graphic novel), David Self
Stars: Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig
Cast:
| Tyler Hoechlin | … | Michael Sullivan Jr. |
| Rob Maxey | … | Drugstore Owner |
| Liam Aiken | … | Peter Sullivan |
| Jennifer Jason Leigh | … | Annie Sullivan |
| Tom Hanks | … | Michael Sullivan |
| Paul Newman | … | John Rooney |
| 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 |
| Paul Turner | … | Finn McGovern’s Henchman |
| Kathleen Keane | … | Irish Musician |
| Brendan McKinney | … | Irish Musician |
| Jackie Moran | … | Irish Musician |
| Kieran O’Hare | … | Irish Musician |
| John M. Williams | … | Irish Musician |
| Nicolas Cade | … | Boy Michael Fights |
| David Darlow | … | Jack Kelly |
| Dylan Baker | … | Alexander Rance |
| John Sierros | … | Rooney’s Business Associate |
| Jon Sattler | … | Rooney’s Business Associate |
| Michael Brockman | … | Rooney’s Business Associate |
| John Judd | … | Rooney’s Business Associate |
| Christian Stolte | … | Rooney’s Business Associate |
| Jack Callahan | … | Rooney’s Business Associate |
| Maureen Gallagher | … | Michael’s Teacher |
| Kevin Chamberlin | … | Frank the Bouncer |
| Juanita Wilson | … | Brothel Maid |
| Doug Spinuzza | … | Calvino |
| Roderick Peeples | … | Nitti’s Henchman |
| Keith Kupferer | … | Nitti’s Henchman |
| Lee Roy Rogers | … | Secretary |
| Stanley Tucci | … | Frank Nitti |
| Jude Law | … | Maguire |
| Kurt Naebig | … | Tenement Murderer |
| Lance Baker | … | Crime Scene Policeman |
| Monte | … | Living Corpse |
| Duane Sharp | … | Father Callaway |
| Diane Dorsey | … | Aunt Sarah |
| Michael Sassone | … | Motel Manager |
| John Sterchi | … | Cop at Diner |
| Robert Jones | … | Farmer at Diner |
| Lara Phillips | … | Ruby the Waitress |
| Harry Groener | … | Mr. McDougal |
| JoBe Cerny | … | Banker |
| Lawrence MacGowan | … | Banker |
| Timothy Hendrickson | … | Banker |
| Marty Higginbotham | … | Banker |
| Mina Badie | … | Betty the Waitress |
| Ed Kross | … | Young Bank Manager |
| Heidi Jayne Netzley | … | Prostitute |
| Phil Ridarelli | … | Hotel Manager |
| Peggy Roeder | … | Farmer Virginia |
| James Greene | … | Farmer Bill |
| James Currie | … | Factory Worker |
| Richard Dunn | … | Pedestrian |
| Joe Fontana | … | Business Man |
| Reese Foster | … | Bank Customer |
| Kelly Hill | … | Dancer |
| Gene Janson | … | Chief of Police |
| Cory Krueckeberg | … | Young Irish Lover |
| Anthony LaPaglia | … | Al Capone |
| George J. Manisco | … | Nitti Thug #4 |
| Thomas McNulty | … | Banker |
| Mark Morettini | … | Nitti Thug #5 |
| Martin Murphy | … | Patron at the Library |
| Kerry Rossall | … | Rooney’s Henchman |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia