Road to Perdition (2002)

A mob enforcer's son witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take to the road, and his father down a path of redemption and revenge.

Director:

Sam Mendes

Writers:

Max Allan Collins (graphic novel), Richard Piers Rayner (graphic novel)

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey

Won 1 Oscar. Another 22 wins & 81 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tyler Hoechlin	...	Michael Sullivan Jr.
Rob Maxey	...	Drugstore Owner
Liam Aiken	...	Peter Sullivan
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Annie Sullivan
Tom Hanks	...	Michael Sullivan
Paul Newman	...	John Rooney
Daniel Craig	...	Connor Rooney
Ciarán Hinds	...	Finn McGovern
Craig Spidle	...	Rooney's Henchman
Ian Barford	...	Rooney's Henchman
Stephen P. Dunn	...	Finn McGovern's Henchman (as Stephen Dunn)
Paul Turner	...	Finn McGovern's Henchman
Kathleen Keane	...	Irish Musician
Brendan McKinney	...	Irish Musician
Jackie Moran	...	Irish Musician

Storyline

1931. Mike Sullivan and Connor Rooney are two henchmen of elderly downstate IL-based (Quad City area, though much of the action takes place in the Chicago area) Irish-American mobster John Rooney, Connor's father. In many respects, John treats Mike more as his son, who he raised as his own after Mike was orphaned, than the volatile Connor, who nonetheless sees himself as the heir apparent to the family business. One evening, Mike's eldest son, twelve year old Michael Sullivan Jr., who has no idea what his father does for a living, witnesses Connor and his father gun down an associate and his men, the situation gone wrong initiated from an action by Connor. Caught witnessing the incident, Michael is sworn to secrecy about what he saw. Regardless, Connor, not wanting any loose ends, makes an attempt to kill Mike, his wife and their two sons. Mike and the surviving members of his family know that they need to go on the run as Connor, who has gone into hiding, will be protected through ...

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Plot Keywords:

based on comic book | violence | surprise ending | 1930s | dog | 

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Taglines:

Every son holds the future for his father.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox [UK]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 July 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Camino a la perdición

Filming Locations:

Aurora, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,079,481, 14 July 2002, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$104,454,762

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$181,001,478

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks, Twentieth Century Fox, The Zanuck Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jude Law hated his appearance for the film, and insisted on wearing a cap every time he wasn't on camera. Sam Mendes insisted that Law also remain paler than all of his co-stars.

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Goofs

Bullets fired into Michael's back at the lake house exit his chest with enough velocity to cause blood spatter on the picture window inches in front of him but don't have enough energy to cause any damage to the window itself.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Some say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931. This is our story.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to all at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, London

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Connections

Spoofed in Parásitos: Entre parásitos anda el juego (2012)

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Soundtracks

Alma Redemptoris Mater
Written by Juan García de Salazar (uncredited)
Performed by Choir of Kings College Cambridge
Courtesy of EMI Classics
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Despite what you may have heard, it's an awesome movie

Many have either hated, loved, or been let down by this film. Hype does terrible things to the best and worst of things. Most of the reasons i have heard for not liking this film are ridiculous. Let me just tell you, if you have not seen it yet, go see it. Even if for some reason you don't think its amazing, it will be among the best films you have seen of the year anyways. Road to Perdition is a beautiful movie, both visually and in performance. Every actor here is deserving of acclaim and Academy attention, mainly Jude Law. Any emotional detachment is intentional; It is a tragic story, one of betrayal, love, bonds, and revenge. There is no doubt this film will become a classic. Don't dare compare it with Godfather: this is a GANGSTER film, not a MAFIA movie! Godfather will never be surpassed, so don't compare to it. Road to Perdition as of now is the leading Best Picture Oscar contender. Unlike past years, it deserves it.