Road to Perdition

2002

Road to Perdition

Critics Consensus

Somber, stately, and beautifully mounted, Sam Mendes' Road to Perdition is a well-crafted mob movie that explores the ties between fathers and sons.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 215

86%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 188,639

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Movie Info

A hit man for an Irish gang in the Depression-era Midwest, hit man Michael Sullivan is known to friends and enemies alike as the Angel of Death. Uncompromising in his work, Sullivan is just as devoted to his private life as an upstanding husband and father of two young boys. But when those worlds collide, taking the lives of his wife and younger son, Sullivan and his surviving son, Michael Jr. leave their sedate home life behind and embark on a startling journey of revenge and self-discovery.

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Cast

Tom Hanks
as Michael Sullivan
Paul Newman
as John Rooney
Jennifer Jason Leigh
as Annie
Jude Law
as Maguire
Stanley Tucci
as Frank Nitti
Daniel Craig
as Connor
Tyler Hoechlin
as Michael Sullivan Jr.
Liam Aiken
as Peter
Ciarán Hinds
as Finn
Dylan Baker
as Rance
David Darlow
as Kelly
Doug Spinuzza
as Calvino
Rob Maxey
as Drugstore Owner
Nicolas Cade
as Boy Michael Fights
Dylan Barker
as Alexander Rance
Craig Spidle
as Rooney's Henchman
Ian Barford
as Rooney's Henchman
Nicholas Cade
as Boy Michael Fights
Stephen Dunn
as Finn McGovern's Henchman
Paul Turner
as Finn McGovern's Henchman
Maureen Gallagher
as Michael's Teacher
Kevin Chamberlin
as Frank The Bouncer
Juanita Wilson
as Brothel Maid
Stephen P. Dunn
as Finn McGovern's Henchmen
Roderick Peeples
as Nitti's Henchman
Keith Kupferer
as Nitti's Henchman
Maurie Gallagher
as Michael's Teacher
Lee Roy Rogers
as Secretary
Kathleen Keane
as Irish Musician
Kieran O'Hare
as Irish Musician
Jackie Moran
as Irish Musician
Brendan McKinney
as Irish Musician
John Sierros
as Rooney's Business Associate
Jon Sattler
as Rooney's Business Associate
Michael Brockman
as Rooney's Business Associate
John Judd
as Rooney's Business Associate
Christian Stolte
as Rooney's Business Associate
Jack Callahan
as Rooney's Business Associate
The Monte Carlos
as Living Corpse
Kurt Naebig
as Tenement Murderer
Lance Baker
as Crime Scene Policeman
Monte
as Living Corpse
Duane Sharp
as Father Callaway
Diane Dorsey
as Aunt Sarah
Michael Sassone
as Motel Manager
John Sterchi
as Cop At Diner
Robert Jones
as Farmer at Diner
Lara Phillips
as Ruby The Waitress
Harry Groener
as Mr. McDougal
Mina Badie
as Betty The Waitress
Ed Kross
as Young Bank Manager
Heidi Jayne Netzley
as Prostitute
Phil Ridarelli
as Hotel Manager
Peggy Roeder
as Farmer Virginia
James Greene
as Farmer Bill
Jobe Cerny
as Banker
Lawrence MacGowan
as Banker
Timothy Hendrickson
as Banker
Marty Higginbotham
as Banker
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Critic Reviews for Road to Perdition

All Critics (215) | Top Critics (46)

  • So is Perdition still a must-see? No question. But it's tough to fuss about it much when a picture is this fussy.

    Apr 14, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Mike Clark

    USA Today
    Top Critic

  • Visually, the picture is all of a piece, but it's a self-conscious piece of work -- all dark-toned academic classicism.

    Apr 14, 2013

    David Denby

    New Yorker
    Top Critic

  • What makes the movie pay off is moving pictures of real action and of intimate scenes between man and boy that are all the more moving for being understated.

    Apr 14, 2013 | Full Review…

    Joe Morgenstern

    Wall Street Journal
    Top Critic

  • While crisply edited and unindulgent, Mendes' work is gratifyingly old-school in its rejection of modern-day stylistic agitation, the better to achieve a slow but inexorable build to its climax.

    Aug 8, 2008

    Todd McCarthy

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Sam Mendes's 2002 follow-up to American Beauty finds him every bit as adept, arty, and Oscar hungry.

    Apr 17, 2007 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Ploughing a furrowed brow, Hanks is fatally miscast -- except that the story turns so sentimental and bathetic, he's actually in his element.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (215)

Audience Reviews for Road to Perdition

  • Mar 16, 2016
    Featuring stunning cinematography, impressive production design and great performances. Road to Perdition is beautiful, adventurous while also being brooding.
    Mr N Super Reviewer
  • Nov 27, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 11, 2013
    From director Sam Mendes comes the period crime drama Road to Perdition. Based on a graphic novel, when the wife and youngest son of mob enforcer Michael Sullivan are murdered he turns against his boss in order to get revenge. Starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law, the film has an impressive cast. And, Mendes's directing is excellent; creating a rich, atmospheric tone. The score by Thomas Newman is also exceptionally good. However, the characters are poorly developed and aren't very engaging. Road to Perdition has a few bumps, but it's a remarkably compelling and beautiful looking film.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 25, 2012
    I enjoyed every minute of this film and the cinematography is brilliant.
    Jason 123 D Super Reviewer
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