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by Alex Keen Published: July 5, 2002
Finally 2002 has a summer film that will be remembered for many years to come. A guaranteed Oscar Contender has been masterly crafted by Academy Award Winning Director Sam Mendes, Actor Tom Hanks, and Actor Paul Newman. Also starring Jude Law, Tyler Hoechlin, Stanley Tucci, Daniel Craig, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, “Perdition” is wonderfully cast and written. And yet these two amazing feats pale in comparison to Mendes’ visual tapestry… The film chronicles the collapse of hitman Michael Sullivan’s livelihood, as complications with his adopted father force the men to choose between their careers in crime and their families. Michael is forced to protect his oldest son, and namesake, while John Looney is forced to protect his rebellious and naïve son, Connor. The decisions these two men make have dramatic and violent consequences. Michael and son are forced to leave the family home behind and hide from Looney’s gaze. While this is not your standard road trip, like “Boys on the Side,” it is an important bonding experience for the father and son. The safety of their trip is jeopardized as a perverted hitman, Maguire, is set on their trail. Maguire, creepily played by Oscar Nominee Jude Law, has a penchant for memorializing his victims in a rather rewarding manner. He tests Sullivan’s ability as a killer and as a fugitive. In typical Oscar contending fashion, “Perdition” avoids a simplistic conclusion by muddying the waters constantly as the story unwinds. By the film’s final reel, many in the audience will be wondering what exactly will become of this dark tale’s key players – and even more importantly, do they deserve it? As I alluded in the first paragraph, the performances, story, and composition are all top notch. Hanks delivers an acclaim-worthy performance that will garner attention next winter. He leaves the doughboy nice guy act in the trashcan, playing Michael as dark and complex as possible. Hanks never fails to accomplish his task of convincing us that he is a bad guy. As Sullivan’s son, Hoechlin is not asked to perform much. Instead he is allowed to just exist in the frame as an observer and as our narrator. I feared that he could have been given a lot of sappy emotional scenes, but that fear was assuaged pretty early on. As Sullivan’s adopted father, the veteran Newman plays Looney with power and extensive detail. He has several scene stealing moments, that if they were expounded a little further would have been as remembered as Marlon Brando’s best scenes in “The Godfather.” Newman proves he can still physically as well as verbally dominate any scene he wants to, without chewing up the scenery. The other performances are strong, with particular mention being needed for Looney’s son Connor, played by Craig. For an actor last seen in “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” Craig steals each and every scene his in. His performance shares much with James Caan in “Godfather,” but pushes the envelope even further on the effect of nepotism within crime syndicates. Connor is sly and cool, devilish and charming – a truly memorable character and performance. Mendes makes sure to make the film as visually dynamic as possible, sticking somewhat with the comic book roots of the screenplay. Much like another graphic novel -> film adaptation, "From Hell," "Perdition" spends a lot of time creating mood and atmosphere. However unlike "Hell," "Perdition" is supported by a much stronger cast and script. Frames of Sullivan walking through puddles wielding a tommy gun are vivid and sincere. Mendes does a good job of surrounding the incredible performances with jaw-dropping scenery. As for deciding the fate of his moral tale, Mendes makes sure to stare unflinchingly into his work. It is a scene that invokes response, explosive with emotion and beauty. Likely to be analyzed for years to come. “Perdition” goes beyond expectations, because it challenges the audience and the actors from one moment to the next. Mendes takes an extensive look at a cold-blooded man whose love for his family challenges his livelihood and his past, and delivers a film that seems unmired by the studio corruption that many young directors despise. "Perdition" will be remembered for years as a visual, emotional, and controversial dynamo. Overall Rating: A+ |
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