Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Stanley Tucci, Tom Hanks and Jude Law
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Stanley Tucci. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Tucci has proven to be an icon. Whether it’s game show hosts, news reporters or political leaders, Tucci has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Tucci’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Tucci has always left a lasting impression. Through his capabilities to portray characters that are compelling, Tucci has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his commemorated role in the “Hunger Games” franchise, Tucci has proven that he can excel in every genre. Throughout his strong career, Tucci has made many unforgettable films that are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Tucci and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Road to Perdition” is my favourite. Released in 2002, Sam Mendes’ film offered a strong adaptation of a celebrated graphic novel about gangsters. Packed with powerful production, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about gangsters. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Stanley Tucci, who portrays the personality a cruel gangster facing adversities. Ultimately, what makes “Road to Perdition” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about gangsters, it discusses bold themes everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about the lives of gangsters, there are countless reasons why “Road to Perdition” is a film which is worth seeing.
Based on the beloved graphic novel, “Road to Perdition” tells a story of a gangster engaging in crime causing tension. Tom Hanks portrays Michael Sullivan, a hit man that engages in a dangerous criminal lifestyle having a notorious reputation. Assisted by his powerful crime boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), Sullivan is driven to commit crimes to provide for his family that faces tension. However, Sullivan’s life changes drastically when his son witnessed a gruesome murder. Becoming grim target of the notorious mob boss Frank Nitti (Stanley Tucci), Sullivan is forced to question his place in society. As all the odds are soon stacked against his favour, Sullivan wonders whether it’s truly possible for him to be a successful gangster. Embarking on a doomed road towards destruction, Sullivan is forced to question his devotion toward a tense profession.
Sam Mendes is fascinated with the stories of dysfunctional families. A fantastic filmmaker, Mendes has often made engaging movies that capture broken families in danger. His award-winning film “American Beauty” captured the lives of broken suburban families experiencing adversities. With “Road to Perdition”, however, Mendes made his first ever period piece about gangsters. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved book about gangsters that face tragedy but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Mendes captures a gangster embarking upon a journey to find identity. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Mendes successfully utilizes point of view shots to capture gangsters which face disaster. For instance, POV shots elevate the gangster meeting scene. During this tense scene, Michael has a tense argument with his mob boss John Rooney. Through breathtaking POV shots, Mendes creates a portrait of mobs that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky to use in movies. As Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” did demonstrate clearly, POV shots enhance films about journalism. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Mendes captures the tensions that gangsters are often facing.
Another strong aspect of “Road to Perdition” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is well made. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Mendes effectively uses costumes to capture gangsters facing tension. Throughout the film, Michael’s costumes demonstrates his powerful transformation into a notorious gangster. For instance, the costumes enhance the murders scene. During this intense scene, Sullivan gets stuck in a stressful situation when his son is a witness of murders which cause destructions. Through stunning costumes, Mendes creates a strong portrait of gangsters that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Thomas Newman’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing painful burden that gangsters bear. Through strong production, Mendes captures commemorated gangsters facing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Road to Perdition” is a film about gangsters which is compelling. The film is extremely well written, and effectively employs sequences of silence to capture gangsters that are affected by violence. Throughout the movie, Mendes uses scenes of silence to capture gangsters that are affected by catastrophic incidents of violence. For instance, silence enhances the murder aftermath scene. During this intense scene, Michale Sullivan endures emotions of guilt after he has committed a painful murder causing tensions. Using sequences of silence, Mendes creates a portrait of gangsters that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is not an easy technique to use in films. As Edward Berger’s “Conclave” suggested, silence often enhances movies about religion. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Mendes captures the lives of gangsters which experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Stanley Tucci delivers one of his best career performances as Frank Nitti. Tucci earned appreciation for playing talk show hosts in bold fantasy films. With “Road to Perdition”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a gangster engaging in a life of crime causing adversity but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Tucci has often excelled at playing emotional heroes that are under pressures, and “Road to Perdition” showcased his strengths as an actor. Through captivating expressions, he conveys the angst, grief and resentment of a gangster that faces tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Stanley Tucci, the supporting cast is superb and merits recognitions. Tom Hanks is terrific, capturing the tensions of a gangster seeking redemption in a competitive profession. Jude Law is spectacular, capturing the personality of a gangster without a flaw which seeks to engage in crime inspiring awe. Lastly, Daniel Craig deserves appreciation. As a destructive gangster, he brings an air of menace towards the movie.
Finally, “Road to Perdition” will earn the praise of everyone for capturing gangsters enduring tension. Unlike most gangster movies, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about power of fatherhood that would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Road to Perdition” is one of those rare gangster movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Stanley Tucci will definitely appreciate “Road to Perdition” and so would movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A spellbinding gangster epic, it celebrates legacy of an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about gangsters engaging in a life of crime embarking on a doomed path towards destruction, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actor with strong dedication that has portrayed memorable characters in unforgettable movies which definitely deserve appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 