Road to Perdition [Region 1] [NTSC] - Region 1 DVD

Following the Oscar glory of American Beauty director Sam Mendes and veteran cinematographer Conrad Hall imbue this tale, adapted from the graphic novel, with many subtle nuances and a strikingly stark beauty: chill rain and ice envelop the frozen landscape, mirroring Sullivan's initial emotional coldness towards his son. Impeccable period production design and Thomas Newman's score of delicately shifting harmonies enhance the picture immeasurably.

Unfortunately, the essentially predictable story arc unfolds in an overly leisurely fashion. It wouldn't matter that there's little tension or doubt about the outcome, except that Hanks's character is all too clearly a decent chap at heart, thus undermining from the outset any sense of a real "journey" towards redemption. The resolution is supposed to be cathartic, but it feels contrived. It remains a delight to see all the principals--including Jude Law as a splendidly creepy photographer-assassin--acting at their peak and so capably directed, but ultimately Road to Perdition seems like a series of magnificently staged set-pieces that doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts. --Mark Walker