Road to Perdition
Short description
Set in Depression-era Illinois, Road to Perdition centers on Michael Sullivan, a hit man for Irish-American crime boss John Rooney, a man who raised him like a son. Sullivan keeps his work hidden from his wife and two boys until his older son, Michael Jr., secretly follows him one night and witnesses a killing. That knowledge makes the boy a danger to Rooney's organization, and Sullivan's family pays a terrible price. Father and surviving son take to the road, pursued by the mob and by a photographer who does side work for the syndicate, while Sullivan seeks revenge on those responsible and tries to protect what remains of his family.
Sam Mendes directed, his third feature after American Beauty and before Jarhead. David Self wrote the screenplay, and Mendes produced with Richard D. Zanuck and Dean Zanuck. Tom Hanks plays Sullivan, Paul Newman is Rooney, and Jude Law, Tyler Hoechlin, Daniel Craig and Stanley Tucci round out the principal cast.
The film cost about 80 million dollars and took roughly 181 million worldwide, a solid return on a period crime drama. On IMDb it holds 7.6 out of 10 from about 300,000 votes; on TMDB it sits at 7.4 from over 4,000. A critics' rating of 8 out of 10 from 214 reviews places it above both audience scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- Tyler Hacklin was chosen for the role of the main character's son from among 2,000 applicants.
- For the filming of the bank robbery scenes, Hacklin had to learn to drive, which he happily did. The young actor quickly mastered the skill, but a stunt driver insured him during filming.
- The piano piece played by Paul Newman and Tom Hanks at the funeral was performed by the actors themselves after extensive preparation.
- This film was the last for the legendary cinematographer Conrad L. Hall. He posthumously received an Oscar and a BAFTA Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
- According to Max Allan Collins, the author of the graphic novel on which the film is based, the real-life gangsters John and Connor Looney’s surname was changed to Rooney in the film.
- The film was also nominated for five more Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor (Paul Newman) and Best Music (Thomas Newman).
- The film is based on the graphic novel "Road to Perdition" by Max Allan Collins (1998).
- The computer game "I, Gangster" (Mob Enforcer) features the "Lexington" hotel, which, in name and interior, resembles the one where Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig) was killed.
- Anthony LaPaglia was originally intended to play Al Capone, having previously played Frank Nitti, Capone’s right-hand man, in the 1988 film “Frank Nitti: The Enforcer.” However, the filmmakers decided not to include this real historical figure in the film. LaPaglia is nevertheless listed first in the credits under “special thanks.” In “Road to Perdition,” Frank Nitti was played by Stanley Tucci, and because his character was a chain smoker, the actor had to light up almost 80 times a day.
- There is no character in the novel who is ultimately played by Jude Law. Maguire was invented by screenwriter David Self.
- Tom Sizemore and Alfred Molina were also considered for the role of Al Capone.
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