A masterful gangster movie

This film, directed by Sam Mendes (of American Beauty fame), is no ordinary gangster movie. Although it is bloody and violent, and despite the booze, drugs, bank robbers, and revenge, "Road To Perdition" is no common criminal cliché. It's a beautiful story about fathers, pride, happiness, and innocence. It's about a boy who inherits his father's ghosts and has to learn to live with them.

The basic premises of the film is this: Michael O'Sullivan Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin) makes a big mistake one night. Curiosity gets the best of him when he wants to follow Michael O'Sullivan Sr. (Tom Hanks), on one of his missions. He follows his father and another man to see about a debt owed to Old Man Looney, their boss (Paul Newman). In horror, the twelve-year-old boy watches as his father and his partner gun down a group of men in cold blood. Moments later, Michael Jr. is discovered in his hiding place and everyone's lives are changed forever.

Tom Hanks pulls off yet another atypical role, making him the most diverse man in Hollywood. More groundbreaking is the mature performance of Tyler Hoechlin, taking the prize as the most enjoyable child actor of the year. His performance as narrator and Hanks' partner in crime was mature and impressive. Not only is this young man aesthetically stunning but also incredibly talented. An audience willing to be absorbed into the screen's celluloid will love this film. The patient unraveling of this tragic story is captured with simple dialogue and brilliant visuals. The 1930's décor captures the prohibition era flawlessly and transports you to a time when gangsters like Al Capone reigned over much of .

The film's cinematography uses an old comic book style, including the coolest of handbags, dramatic nighttime machine gun fire, and dramatically lit ally ways (complete with dark silhouettes and bowler hats). Artistically, this film is captivating. A warning to those who like fast paced films: this may not be the right film for you. Instead, the script follows a slow, dark and brooding path that deserves of attention but may not be everyone's cup of tea. You should also know that this is a sad film with no happy ending. It is gruesome and unpleasant. It is after all, a gangster movie. "Road To Perdition" may earn Sam Mendes a second Oscar.