Director: John Hillcoat
Starring: Robert Duvall, Viggo Mortensen and Guy Pearce
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Viggo Mortensen. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Mortensen has become an icon. Whether it is medieval ring bearers, apocalypse survivors or racist drivers, Mortensen has played many strong characters. Arguably, Mortensen’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his bold presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had larger than life presence that elevates every movie he is in. Even when he is not the main focus of a movie, Mortensen has often left a lasting impression. An actor with strong commitment toward craft, Mortensen has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Although he is most famous for his role in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Mortensen has proven he can make movies in every genre. Throughout his career, Mortensen has made many unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Mortensen and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Road” is my favourite. Released in 2009, John Hillcoat’s film offered a bold adaptation of a beloved book about survival. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about survival. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Viggo Mortensen, who embodies a survivor of a grim apocalypse with destruction. Ultimately, what makes “The Road” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about apocalypse, it tackles strong themes that everyone would easily relate to. A riveting masterpiece about survival, there are several strong reasons why “The Road” is worth seeing.
Based on the beloved book, “The Road” tells the story of a survivor of an apocalypse on a doomed road. Viggo Mortensen portrays an anxiety-ridden father that strives to survive an apocalypse causing tension. The father is a resourceful person with strong dedication to protecting his children. Assisted by his brave son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), the father has always been driven to survive apocalyptic tragedies. However, the father’s life drastically changes when he discovers the dangers of living in an apocalyptic world causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, the father begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible to survive disaster. Faced with a tense dilemma, the father begins to question whether it’s truly possible to survive a grim disaster that causes trauma.
John Hillcoat is fascinated with the themes of survival. A fantastic filmmaker, Hillcoat has often made engaging movies about people surviving disaster. His film “The Proposition” offered a powerful portrait of outlaws which seek to survive destruction. With “The Road”, however, he made his first apocalypse movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey barriers faced by people seeking to survive an apocalyptic tragedy but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Hillcoat captures the struggles faced by fathers seeking to live in an apocalyptic tragedy. Inspired with Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away”, Hillcoat uses handheld camera to capture people that are cast away. For instance, handheld camera enhances the poverty scene. During this memorable scene, the father faces tensions when he discovers food supplies have run out. Through handheld camera, Hillcoat captures the lives of people in an apocalyptic dilemma. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use. As Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring” suggested, handheld camera enhances commemorated fantasy epics. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Hillcoat caprices tensions that individuals seeking to survive are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Road” that merits appreciation of the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Hillcoat effectively uses production design to capture lives of apocalypse survivors that decline. Throughout the movie, the barren wasteland plays a pivotal role in capturing the tension that survivors are facing. For instance, the wasteland location enhances the journeys scene. During this intense sequence, the father embarks on a dangerous journey with his son on a doomed road. Using stunning production, Hillcoat captures tensions that survivors of an apocalypse are facing. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Nick Cave’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that apocalypse survivors bear. Using captivating production, Hillcoat captures survivors of an apocalypse facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “The Road” is a survival film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture bonds between a father and son enduring violence. Throughout the movie, Hillcoat uses scenes of silence to capture the lives of survivors which are impacted by grim violence. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, the father bids an emotional farewell to his son as he leaves for the road. Through silence, Hillcoat creates a portrait of survival that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Tony Scott’s “Crimson Tide” proved clearly, silence enhances submarine survival movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Hillcoat captures the lives of survivors facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Viggo Mortensen delivers one of his greatest performances as the father. Mortensen first earned appreciation for playing magical ring bearers in fantasy movies. With “The Road”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It’s not easy to portray a survivor of a painful apocalypse facing adversity but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Mortensen has often excelled at playing emotional heroes facing pressure, and “The Road” showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Viggo Mortensen, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserves great celebration. Robert Duvall is remarkable, capturing tension of an old man seeking to survive apocalypse destructions. Charlize Theron is captivating, capturing the fear of a woman struggling to survive a disaster causing despair. Last but not least, Guy Pearce deserves appreciation. As a hardened survivor, he brings emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Road” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing survival on a road. Unlike most movies about survival, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The movie discusses strong themes including grief, identity and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about perseverance which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Road” is one of those rare survival films which everyone would adore.
Fans of Viggo Mortensen would appreciate “The Road” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating survival drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a father on a doomed road seeking survival in an apocalypse that’s painful, it’s a remarkable reminder about a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his career which audiences always consider to be extremely special.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 