It's the Depression (not now, in the film) and the Sullivan family is living quite well under the umbrella of the Irish mob's leadership of John Rooney (Paul Newman). Irish mob
would that make him a donald? Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is a loyal but passionless enforcer in Rooney's army who seems to have detached himself from his duties, which is the only way the audience will accept Hanks in the role of a killer. Can we let this perennial hero portrays a psychopath? I doubt it. He's doing a job he hates, but it's one he does well. Does that describe some of us? So far, but I hope yours doesn't border on crimes against humanity.
This happy little film takes you on the road with the two Mikes, father and son, for 6 weeks in the winter across scenic northern Illinois prairie. Think flat, brown, rain, shapeless woolens and smarmy characters. Tragedy has drawn them together and driven them away from their old life, and they can have no hopes of ever returning. The father is determined to get revenge and the son becomes an unwitting partner to his dad. These two Mikes are developing a unique bond, with the father passing along his survival skills to the son. You'll find "classic" moments that we've all learned from our dads like distinguishing between the clutch and the accelerator, how to behave at a wake and driving a getaway car. Lessons we'll never forget.
Jennifer Jason Leigh has a role that's so undeveloped we wonders what really happened to her lines. Jude Law morphs into a reptilian artiste who captures his victims on film. His slouching gait and smarmy visage provides the tragic-comic relief in this Shakespearean tragedy. Paul Newman plays the patriarch who runs his tribe with elegance and style that's also picked up by Stanley Tucci who plays an erudite Frank Nitti as a mob boss who seems to have acquired an MBA. And young Tyler Hoechlin grows with his role.
Great story, fine cast, talented director and perfect timing so how can it miss? John Rooney may be describing his own experience when he laments, `Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers. ` But is he describing Michael Sullivan's? You be the judge.
This happy little film takes you on the road with the two Mikes, father and son, for 6 weeks in the winter across scenic northern Illinois prairie. Think flat, brown, rain, shapeless woolens and smarmy characters. Tragedy has drawn them together and driven them away from their old life, and they can have no hopes of ever returning. The father is determined to get revenge and the son becomes an unwitting partner to his dad. These two Mikes are developing a unique bond, with the father passing along his survival skills to the son. You'll find "classic" moments that we've all learned from our dads like distinguishing between the clutch and the accelerator, how to behave at a wake and driving a getaway car. Lessons we'll never forget.
Jennifer Jason Leigh has a role that's so undeveloped we wonders what really happened to her lines. Jude Law morphs into a reptilian artiste who captures his victims on film. His slouching gait and smarmy visage provides the tragic-comic relief in this Shakespearean tragedy. Paul Newman plays the patriarch who runs his tribe with elegance and style that's also picked up by Stanley Tucci who plays an erudite Frank Nitti as a mob boss who seems to have acquired an MBA. And young Tyler Hoechlin grows with his role.
Great story, fine cast, talented director and perfect timing so how can it miss? John Rooney may be describing his own experience when he laments, `Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers. ` But is he describing Michael Sullivan's? You be the judge.