Road To Perdition

The road to perdition directed by Sam Mendes is a 2002 drama, staring Tom Hanks. The period the movie is set in is 1931, where the depression was being experienced by people all around the world. Road to Perdition is about a gangster and his interaction as a family man and as an important member of a mob. Revenge and justice are the key motives for this movie. Through these motives the destruction of innocence and the reality of experience in the underground world unfolds. Also within the movie we see how betrayal influences various relationships to become stronger and how others disintegrate.

History tells us that the time of the great depression was causesd by the fall of the stock market in the United States of America. This caused social and financial hardship for the majority of working-class people. In he Road to Perdition this is relevant because it ties in with how gangsters and mobsters ran things in their communities. The head mobster John Rooney controls a Midwestern territory for the infamous Capone gang. He maintains his community through their law and order, yet if anyone were to over step his line, there would be consequences, either through violence or intimidation. The theme of innocence and experience is introduced by the interaction of an 11yr old boy and the mob.

In the opening scene of the movie we see a young Michael Jnr traveling in the opposite direction through a large crowd of men. The audience then sees Michael stealing bubble gum, smoking, and with money in his pocket. This scene symbolizes the transition of a young boy’s natural desire to become an adult.

This movie is set in winter where the snow is a symbolism of innocence and purity. As the move progresses the snow slowly disappears, a parallel to how Michael Jnrs innocence is taken away.

The relationship between Michael Jnr and Michael Snr grows within the 6 intense weeks they spend together. At the beginning of the movie these two main characters are detached from each other, however when they are confronted by the death of their family, they realise they have no one else but each other. Their relationship due to unfortunate circumstances together with relying on each other for survival grows stronger with each day.

Michael Jnr sees his father as some vaguely defined hero who "goes on missions" for John Rooney. Michael Snr is secretive about his occupation as he hides his gun in a normal looking suitcase so that his sons believe he has a �normal’ job. Michael Snr is protecting his sons from knowing the truth because he doesn’t want them to follow the same path he has traveled. Michael Jnrs innocence, curiosity and naivety encourage him to investigate what his father does for a living. This decision turns into a nightmare. Michael Jnr secretly hides in his father’s car and discovers Conner Rooney and his father are on a mission. He then watches his father machinegun rival gang members in a spontaneous argument. Witnessing this slaughter by his father, this incident now places their lives in great jeopardy and this will have an impact on their lives. This is the main turning point where Michael Jnrs innocence is stolen and his perception of his father is crushed.

The scene of the funeral is another example of how innocence is influenced by the adult world.

“Why are you always smiling?”

“Cause its all so f**king Hysterical”

This rude remark is then repeated by Peter Sullivan.

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