Cinema review 'Rod to Perdition' (From Barry And District News)

Cinema review 'Rod to Perdition'

AFTER the critical success of American Beauty, that won director Sam Mendes an Oscar in 1999, he is again hoping to impress the critics with his artistic framing and narratives.

But can he do it again?

Michael Sullivan is a hitman for John Rooney in Chicago, 1931. However, when his son witnesses him at work, Rooney orders the killing of Sullivan.

Only his wife and younger son are killed and so Sullivan and son set out for revenge on Rooney and to seek answers. But another hitman, who is cold and sick at heart, is after Sullivan.

When the film begins there is a voice over spoiler which pretty much sums up the ending of the film. The film becomes so immensely boring that I wondered what Mendes was thinking when he directed it all. I was so bored and I knew the ending, so what was the point in watching the rest?

Thankfully enough, as soon as Tyler Hoechlin (Sullivan's son) witnesses Tom Hanks' (Sullivan) 'work' it all starts to glue together nicely. But all this happens after 40 minutes so you are already aching from being slumped, bored in your chair.

What keeps the film going, is Thomas Newman's perfect score and more than anything, Tom Hanks' wonderful performance. Without these two things, Mendes would have lost his audience.

This is clearly one of the best roles Hanks has taken throughout his career. If he doesn't get an Oscar nomination, then something outrageous in going on behind the scenes of the Oscars.

Also if Hoechlin keeps up with his acting career, then someday he should be giving his 'thank you speech' at an Oscar ceremony in the near future.

If only there was more of Paul Newman and the excellent Jude Law in the film.

David Self's often smart script and Mendes' stylish camera work and meaningful shots makes the film worth watching.

Hanks keeps it all together despite many muddled themes and some lengthy boring bits.

But that's why Tom Hanks is one of cinema's finest ever actors.