The Road to Perdition (R)

Powerful, beautiful film; ok for mature teens.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Dreamworks SKG
  • Directed By: Sam Mendes
  • Cast: Tom Hanks, Jude Law, Paul Newman
  • Running Time: 117 minutes
  • Release Date: 07/12/2002
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 02/25/2003
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: violence, language, and sexual situations

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has predictably coarse language from the 1930s gangsters, as well as some bloody murder scenes, always by gunfire. A woman and small child are killed off screen, and the main characters are often in peril.

Families can talk about why Mr. Sullivan was so bent on killing the murderer of his family, and even what makes criminals likeable in movies.

Message

Social Behavior:

All major characters are white

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Drinking and smoking

Violence

A lot of peril and violence, including organized crime killings and death of innocent family members A lot of Peril

Sex

Sexual references and situations, prostitutes

Language

Strong language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

ROAD TO PERDITION centers on Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks), a tough hit man in 1931 Chicago, whose loyalty and sense of duty keep him working for John Rooney (Paul Newman), a friendly but firm Irish mob boss . Rooney treats Sullivan like a son. Sullivan keeps his family out of his work, but when his curious son Michael, Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin) sees something he isn't supposed to see, Rooney's jealous and paranoid son Connor (Daniel Craig) tries to make sure he doesn't talk by killing Sullivan's wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and youngest son (Liam Aiken) but missing Michael Jr. Sullivan sets out on a road trip with his surviving son as he seeks vengeance Connor and tries to avoid his former affiliates. Along the way he robs banks while his son drives the getaway car. To make matters worse, there is a sadistic, despicable man who photographs murder scenes (Jude Law) on Sullivan's trail, and he's willing to assist the murder process to get a good shot. Adventures ensue, and the Sullivans meet many people and go many places with mixed results until the film's inevitable conclusion.

Is it any good?

4
Road to Perdition is a powerful, beautifully made film about fathers and sons and sin and redemption, that overrides minor flaws through beautiful directing and first class performances. It’s one of the best made films of 2002, and Mendes, Hanks, and Newman are sure to be remembered during Oscar predictions at the end of the year. The story is interesting, with the father-son relationships and David Self's adapted screenplay being both realistic and intriguing.

However, some important factors, such as more about Jude Law's character and some essential aspects of Sullivan and Rooney's relationship are ignored, as this ambitious film is scared of being overlong, an oft-criticized quality of epic dramas like The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. It leaves the viewer to decide, but if it had just gone out on a limb there, the film could've been saved from having some baffling moments at its conclusion.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

4


Posted on 05/31/08 by ljmudit Kid contributor, age 17

Good movie.

A great masterpiece with a message. Contains several bloody murders and may be disturbing for youngsters. Teenagers above the age of 16 may enjoy this movie.
5


Posted on 01/30/08 by fdog1 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 10/15/05 by quertydog Kid contributor, age 12

Violent--very--but excellent acting and plot...

This movie was --obviously-- very violent, but it had a great father-son relationship toward the end of the movie and I enjoyed it. Very--oh-- interestingly coolish....yeh...
5


Posted on 06/23/03 by Gordan Freeman Kid contributor, age 16

beautifuly photographed

I'm just going to say that the cinamotogrophy alone is worth the price of admission (rental now).
4


Posted on 05/20/03 by karamba Adult contributor

The desperate heart of early industrial America

A fine movie, with a neat theme of a father having to hide his true profession from his son, who nonetheless glimpses the truth one harrowing night. Good film noir mood. Excellent acting. Nice material to ponder on children's perceptions of their parent's work.

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 05/20/03 by karamba Adult contributor

The desperate heart of early industrial America

A fine movie, with a neat theme of a father having to hide his true profession from his son, who nonetheless glimpses the truth one harrowing night. Good film noir mood. Excellent acting. Nice material to ponder on children's perceptions of their parent's work.

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4


Posted on 05/31/08 by ljmudit Kid contributor, age 17

Good movie.

A great masterpiece with a message. Contains several bloody murders and may be disturbing for youngsters. Teenagers above the age of 16 may enjoy this movie.
5


Posted on 01/30/08 by fdog1 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 10/15/05 by quertydog Kid contributor, age 12

Violent--very--but excellent acting and plot...

This movie was --obviously-- very violent, but it had a great father-son relationship toward the end of the movie and I enjoyed it. Very--oh-- interestingly coolish....yeh...
5


Posted on 06/23/03 by Gordan Freeman Kid contributor, age 16

beautifuly photographed

I'm just going to say that the cinamotogrophy alone is worth the price of admission (rental now).
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