Modern film-making has become an art which is far different than it was thirty or more years ago. This film alone provides us with the most smooth camera movements, most effective angles, and best acting since A Beautiful Mind. Kudos for this true piece of art go to director Sam Mendes, cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, and leading man Tom Hanks. First, Mendes' follow up to his debut American Beauty has out-done himself. Though the basic plot of this film is inferior to that of Beauty, the symbolism and overall production are one step ahead. He manages to paint truly incredible pictures of hate, regret, betrayal, love, and salvation, and much of that is through his creative direction. Part of his success on this film must go to his favorite director of photography, Conrad Hall. Hall, who also worked on Beauty, again uses the slow moving camera movements while showing minimal amounts of violence. His photography is probably the most incredible part of this movie. But, we cannot praise the movie itself without giving an ovation to veteran Tom Hanks. This is his best role ever. I admire how well he came to fit the role of a darker character than he has ever been. But it is done with such careful consideration of his evil that it comes off as a walking paradox. Truly, Tom Hanks deserves multitudes of praise for his work here. Along with Paul Newman and Jude Law, Hanks leads a very effective and talented cast. It is almost incomprehensible how powerful this film is. It doesn't even have to win any awards because we already know it is a spectacle for the ages. This film will live on for years to come as one of the best.
Review of Road to Perdition
