Legendary Hollywood star, Tom Hanks, recently revealed the one movie people rarely ask him about. Hanks began his career in the early 80s with small roles in film and television before scoring a lead role in the gender-bending sitcom, Bosom Buddies. He soon made a name for himself in the 1984 Ron Howard-directed romantic comedy, Splash, where his character Allen Bauer falls in love with a mermaid. Hanks went on to star in a number of prominent comedies of the decade before transitioning to powerful dramas in the 90s including Philadelphia, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, and The Green Mile.
During an interview on the crime drama Road to Perdition.
The actor called the film one of his most "important" to date and singled out the film's cast as a particular strong point. Released in the summer of 2002, Road to Perdition was met with immediate praise by both critics and audiences alike, praising the acclaimed cast's performances, the taut script by David Self, and the film's stunning visuals. Read what Hanks said about the film below:
For one reason or another, no one references Road to Perdition, and that was an incredibly important movie for me to go through. It was shot by Conrad Hall, okay? It has Paul Newman. And you have me in it, Don Moustache with a hat on it, but you also have two guys who turned out to be two of the biggest motion picture presences in the history of the industry with Jude Law and Danny Craig. And I killed both of them. [...]
People always say, "What movies will they be talking about years from now?" As a guy who watches Turner Classic Movies a lot, the more obscure and unknown a movie from the 1940s or 1950s the better, because I have no preconceived notions about it. I don’t know anything about it. When you watch those movies, and it’s crackerjack, and it’s incredibly moving, all I can think of is, "I’m so glad this movie lasts forever, so I got a chance to revisit it now." That might be the case with Road to Perdition."
Why Road to Perdition is Great
Based on the Max Allan Collins graphic novel of the same name, Hanks stars as Michael Sullivan, an enforcer for the fearsome Irish Mob boss, John Rooney (Paul Newman). The film boasted a strong cast of veterans and at the time up-and-comers including Daniel Crag as John's son, Connor Rooney, Jude Law as assassin Harlen Maguire, Stanely Tucci as Chicago Crime Boss Frank Nitti, and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Michael's wife, Annie.
Cool Hand Luke, The Professionals, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Marathon Man. Hall was awarded posthumously as he had ed away a few months before the 75th Academy Awards ceremony.
Perhaps Road to Perdition is not discussed as much as Hanks would like because the actor's filmography is stuffed full of stellar films that may overshadow it. With a resume including Forrest Gump, A League of Their Own, and Toy Story among many others, it is tough to find room for it in discussions regarding Hanks' most memorable roles. However, as fans look back on Hanks' long and storied career, perhaps will eventually receive the recognition that it deserves.
Source: ReelBlend
