Road to Perdition is a movie that comes up in conversations in my life far more often that I can understand. Maybe subconsciously I am just always looking for a way to praise the masterpiece that this is and recommend it to those that have not seen the light. Because man, the movie is so good on so many levels (and any movie that can use rain so effectively gets bonus points).
It faired well with critics at the time (82% on RT) and grossed slightly over $100 million, although with the colossal cast that included American favorites Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, as well as Jude Law, Daniel Craig and Jennifer Jason Leigh, you would think this would have been much more of a box office juggernaut. I’ve always thought it curious that in a year where Chicago won Best Picture at the Oscars and The Hours, LotR: The Two Towers, The Pianist, and Gangs of New York were the other nominees, that this didn’t get destroy the competition to take the big prize (although it did rightfully win Conrad L. Hall his final Oscar for cinematography before his death))
I am fairly surprised by Scott’s scoop over at Cinematical, that Max Allan Collins – writer of the original Road to Perdition graphic novel – is on board to write and direct to sequels titled Road to Purgatory (which will be appropriately dedicated to Paul Newman) and Road to Paradise. So:
Perdition: Hell
Purgatory: Between Heaven and Hell
Paradise: Heaven
Interesting, although one little potential problem here. Read the plot from the press release:
“Road to Purgatory will follow the character of Michael Sullivan, Jr., the son of Tom Hanks’ character in the original film, who returns from World War II with a new determination to avenge his murdered father. His quest ultimately leads him to Frank Nitti, whom he is urged to kill on the orders of Al Capone. The second sequel will follow Sullivan’s continued plight.”
Road to Perdition spoiler warning here:
Regardless, I’m interested to see where they take this, even if I think it is completely unnecessary and I don’t expect even a great film at all. Besides the fact that I doubt they will have such stellar actors as the first film, not having Sam Mendes as director will probably hurt. I highly doubt they will bring Tyler Hoechlin back as a grown Michael Sullivan Jr., both because he is not a name that could carry such a film box-office wise and because he hasn’t done much of anything since and probably doesn’t have the talent to carry such a film. If I think this starts to look real bad and they get Zac Efron or Paul Walker on board to star, well… I will just avoid watching it.
So, what are you thoughts on these sequels? Will the continuity problems bother you? Who could possibly carry the film as Michael Sullivan Jr.?
