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by Jennifer Alpeche Published: February 28, 2003
Recently nominated for six Academy Awards, “Road to Perdition” arrives on DVD to give viewers a new chance to experience its tale: a road picture of a father and son during the Winter of 1931. Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (“American Beauty”) and starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, and newcomer Tyler Hoechlin, the film is a simple, poetic story about fathers and sons, revenge and redemption. Based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, “Road to Perdition” centers on Michael Sullivan (Hanks), his son Michael Sullivan Jr. (Hoechlin), and their six-week journey to Perdition, Illinois. Their trip is one of escape and discovery, as the two one night meet with tragedy, forced to steal away and silently mourn their losses of wife and mother Annie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and son and brother Peter (Liam Aiken). Victims of a violent, unspoken way of life that began long ago when Sullivan was taken in by the Rooney family. “This is the life we chose. The life we lead. And there is only one guarantee, none of us will see Heaven.” When Sullivan and Michael set out on their forced-upon journey, both are broken, devastated by their losses, each quietly blaming himself for what happened to Annie and Peter. Distant and noncommunicative when the trip begins, they eventually allow the walls to come down, each coming to understanding the other better. Seasons change during the course of the film, as father and son symbolically move closer to Perdition, an ideal place they had visited years ago. A place in their minds that kept them going. A place for a new beginning or perhaps a final goodbye. Sullivan is not the hero envisioned in the comic book Michael reads. Rather he’s a man who seeks revenge for the death of his wife and son. He’s a man determined to secure protection for Michael before his own fate comes to pass. Pursued by a crime-scene photographer and freelance hitman (Law), Sullivan knows his time is limited, but he pushes on, as he must protect his son: not only from immedate danger, but from a life like his. One filled with violence and fear. Sullivan wants more for him. The relationships between fathers and sons is central to “Road to Perdition.” Sons seek their fathers’ approval. Fathers do what must be done to protect their sons. Sullivan’s own relationship with John Rooney (Newman) is destroyed by the events of that fateful night. Though we know Rooney loves Sullivan dearly and admires more in him than he does his own son, the heir-apparent Connor (Daniel Craig), when the times comes to choose between blood and an outsider, he chooses his son, sealing his fate in regards to what Sullivan must do to keep his own son safe. Rooney knows what sort of man Connor is, knows what he did to the Sullivan family, but still, he’s his son. There is no choice. “Natural law: sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.” Described by Mendes as a visual story, “Road to Perdition” is a beautiful film. Thanks to the late cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, the film almost appears monochromatic with its varying shades of dark. Darkness contrasting against white snow. Rain making darkness seem even darker. Dark suits blending into a sea of browns, grays, and blacks. It's striking. And none of its power is diminished on the small screen. The commentary provided by Sam Mendes -- is wonderful, coloring what we see with memories of actors, location shots, production designs, camera angles. He helps us see the visual splendor even more so, as well as appreciate the filmmaking choices he made to tell “Road to Perdition.” The use of color and light. The choice to accelerate the story’s beginning. The cuts made. The qualities of a scene. I was impressed by all the minor details only a director would notice, but that we the audience benefit from in the final product. “… the delicacy of it. The little dance of hands and eyes at the beginning of the scene, the politeness with which they talk to each other, the civility of it.” There are 10 deleted scenes that can be watched alone or with commentary by Sam Mendes, who again offers insight into what he wanted to achieve with these clips while also explaining why he cut them. Many are simply seen shortened in the film, and here we have the longer versions, such as the introduction of the Sullivan household; Michael’s walk through the adult world; the church scene; and Maguire collecting clues inside the Sullivan home. One very nice extra that I don't often see is the audio track for the visually impaired. With this option, everything in the film is described so that the scenes can be visualized, the story can be seen through words. Mendes commented that “Road to Perdition” relied on visual storytelling much more than dialogue. This thoughtful track enables more people to experience what he and his team created. Subtitles are provided in English, Spanish, and French for the film and all commentaries. And then we have the standard DVD extras, such as the making-of feature, production notes, and professional biographies of the cast and filmmakers. Finally, the gallery of still photos features 50 photos in all. Some are promotional, including those used in the film’s Oscar campaign, which are lovely. Some are behind-the-scenes candid shots, and still others are of scenes we never really saw. All however invite us to step back in time. “It’s an amazing place. Chicago is built out of granite, rising up out of the plains like an Oz.” "Road to Perdition" seems to be coming out at the perfect time. With its six Oscar nominations, including Best Cinematography for Conrad L. Hall and Best Supporting Actor for Paul Newman, viewers can get a fresh look at (or be reminded of) why this film was one of the most praised of last year. Though the DVD offers few extras, what it does offer is presented nicely. The cover artwork however has been changed to feature Tom Hanks, and my only complaint might be here. I wish they had kept the cover the same as the theatrical poster, or if they were going to change it at all, then return to the very effective advanced one-sheet of Sullivan walking with his son in the rain. As it is now, Jude Law and Paul Newman are eliminated from the cover all together, which is my main objection to the new artwork. However that being said, this is only a minor complaint. In truth for a drama, the DVD offers nice features and Sam Mendes's wonderfully eloquent commentary is enough to make up for any other minor criticism I might have had. Overall Rating: A- for the film and B for the DVD. |
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