``Road to Perdition'' The charm of a gangster movie that shines through the savvy of Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes

“Road to Perdition” synopsis

The year is 1931, and America is in the midst of the Great Depression. Michael Sullivan, an Irish gangster hit man, worked as Rooney's right-hand man, who was like a father figure to him. However, when Rooney's 12-year-old eldest son witnesses the murder of Rooney's son, Rooney's wife and second son are murdered. The surviving father and son set out for Chicago in search of revenge and redemption, but Rooney, aware of his own son's crimes, sends the brutal killer Maguire after them. It's the season to move from freezing winter to green spring. On their arduous journey to a town called Perdition (Inferno), the two begin to form a strong bond, and what awaits them along the way...

Index

• Sam Mendes' outstanding works
• A hard-boiled story with roots in Japanese comics
• An ensemble of great actors that embodies the bonds and conflicts of family.

Sam Mendes' outstanding works

Since winning the Academy Award for ``American Beauty'' (1999), Sam Mendes has continued to produce consistently excellent work. ``Revolutionary Road'' (2008) and ``Skyfall'' (2012) received multiple nominations for the award. It is still fresh in my memory that ``1917'' was also nominated for an Academy Award. Even within his filmography, ``Road to Perdition'' (2002) stands out.

First, it's a hard-boiled gangster movie. The visuals are somber, which is unusual for Mendes' works. Most of the main cast are men. And it is a story that will make you cry more than any of his works. This film, which combines such various essences, was nominated for six Academy Awards.

“Road to Perdition” trailer

The story is set in Chicago in 1931 during the Great Depression. Sullivan is a good husband and father at home, but he also has the secret side of being a hitman for a criminal organization. My family doesn't know my father's true face. Meanwhile, the organization's boss, Rooney, loves the Sullivan family like his own family. Rooney also has a real family, and although she loves her son Connor, she is bitter because he is far from becoming a full-fledged man. Connor tries his best to work in the mafia because he wants to be recognized by his father, but he carries out the assassination without permission and is reprimanded by Rooney. Out of anger and jealousy, Connor plots to kill the Sullivan family. Sullivan escapes, but his wife and second son are killed. Sullivan protects his rebellious 12-year-old son and vows revenge against Connor. However, Rooney also wants to protect his own son. In this way, Sullivan and Rooney, who have a strong bond, head towards an inevitable and tragic confrontation...

Although this is a story about complex human relationships, the humanity of each character is captured in a realistic manner, giving the drama a profound flavor. Let's examine the charm of this work once again.

A hard-boiled story with roots in Japanese comics