This is the coming of age film your mother warned you about. Director Sam Mendes and a great acting team of Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law explore the depths of human moral depravity. Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a hit man for John Rooney,(Newman) his crime boss who took him in as a child and raised him like his own son. Rooney's real son Connor (played by Daniel Craig) doesn't excel in the family business and is deeply jealous of John Rooney's affection for his adopted son who is one brilliant hit man. The twelve year old son of Sullivan is ever curious about his father's work, and one night witnesses his father's "business" in action after stowing away in the family car during one of his father's "jobs". The rest of the film is about the six weeks Sullivan spends on the road trying to protect his son, and the moral dilemma that erupts as a result of his chosen profession. The two are hunted by Maguire (Jude Law) who is a hit man who doubles as a "photographer of the dead". Sullivan tries out a plan to make the mob bosses pay and to back off. Sullivan's boy (played by Tyler Hoechlin), has some decisions of his own to make, after all it is his future that everyone is trying to determine. In the end we see that no one is righteous here, as Newman reminds everyone that there are only murderers in this room, and ultimately God will be the final judge.
This story is beautifully filmed and is exquisitely directed. The sound track (by Thomas Newman) is striking, chilling and quite superb. Tom Hanks and Paul Newman give thoughtful, intricate and subtle performances, including concise glances and throaty delivery of lines that tell a story in themselves. Jude Law is positively creepy as a calculating necrophile that works as a hit man to "pay the rent". The boy, Tyler Hoechlin, gives out some excellent moments as a young actor, and keeps us convinced that his future is at stake. This is a true symphony of acting and direction among all. It will be found among the classics of the genre. Highly recommended.
This story is beautifully filmed and is exquisitely directed. The sound track (by Thomas Newman) is striking, chilling and quite superb. Tom Hanks and Paul Newman give thoughtful, intricate and subtle performances, including concise glances and throaty delivery of lines that tell a story in themselves. Jude Law is positively creepy as a calculating necrophile that works as a hit man to "pay the rent". The boy, Tyler Hoechlin, gives out some excellent moments as a young actor, and keeps us convinced that his future is at stake. This is a true symphony of acting and direction among all. It will be found among the classics of the genre. Highly recommended.