His father is Michael Sullivan, (Tom Hanks) a professional hit man, a man fortunate to be blessed with a loving wife and two sons. He works for Mr. John Rooney (Paul Newman), a father figure and mob boss who loves Sullivan like a son, giving him and his family a home and a life. His "brother", Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig), is envious of the relationship shared between the two. Although he is the true son, Connor never feels better than second best.

The Sullivan home is a hushed one. No one speaks of papa’s job but there’s a sense it’s dangerous and perhaps illegal. Young Michael oftentimes observes his father with a gun and dreams of heroic reasons as to why he may need one. Curious, he one night hides in the family car, determined to find out for certain what his father does for a living, only to find himself face to face with the reality of who his father is -- a hit man; a killer. In an instant, Michael's dreams of his father being a lone ranger or a hero of some kind, are shattered.

His witness provides Connor the excuse he needs to rid the Rooney family of his rival. In a panic, Connor visits the Sullivan home with the intention of killing wife and mother, Annie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), and the two Sullivan children, while Sullivan is sent into a murderous trap himself. But plans go awry when young Michael is not at home and Sullivan escapes. When father and son return home to find Annie and little Peter (Liam Aiken) dead, each silently blames himself for the events of the night.

Time not on their side, unable to even stop and mourn their loss, Sullivan and Michael Jr. must run and take to the road; the road to Perdition -- a small Illinois town where a compassionate aunt lives and where young Michael will be safe. Set quick on their trail is Harlin Maguire (Jude Law), a crime-scene photographer who also moonlights as an assassin. He pursues the Sullivans across the country landscape and within the grandness of Chicago. An odd character, so excellent at what he does, Maguire is a loner with no one to answer to but himself. A showdown between he and Sullivan is destined to be.

Double in meaning, "Perdition" also refers to the Hell Sullivan’s profession leads to; a road he had hoped his son would not have to take. Although he does his best to protect Michael, in order to do so, Sullivan must remain part of a destructive world, defined by danger, betrayal and violence.

"This is the life we chose, the life we lead, and there is only one guarantee: none of us will see Heaven."

As said, "Road to Perdition" is ultimately a film about fathers and sons. In it, we have two sons who feel they’re second best in their fathers’ eyes. We have one father, cold and distant, but determined to protect the family he loves. We have another who must choose between two sons with the dilemma of which to protect and which to betray. There are revelations, both painful and rewarding, as well as rites of passage and disappointments.

At the core of this gangster picture are personal stories, and it is these stories that we watch and see develop as the journey to Perdition continues. Being a six-week journey, it must come to an end. However, we find the road young Michael takes does not. Where he goes with what he knows is what his father wonders and hopes about, hoping that he will have a better life, although he will never forget the loss he’s experienced and the pain he’s felt.

"Road to Perdition" is the second theatrical effort by Academy Award winner, Sam Mendes. A lovely film, it showcases the cinematography of fellow Oscar winner, Conrad Hall, and the acting of an all-star cast. Tom Hanks is very good as the vengeful hit man father and husband, Michael Sullivan. Burdened by the weight of his job and the guilt of losing his family, Sullivan is forever somber and Hanks does well in portraying this gloom. As young Michael Sullivan Jr., Tyler Hoechlin holds his own against a cast of seasoned actors. His character is very similar to the older Sullivan, as he is also a reticent individual, observant and able. Paul Newman is wonderful as John Rooney, the gangster patriarch who of course knows more than he lets on.

Special mention I must give to Jude Law who is brilliant as Maguire. His glittering good looks masked (but not entirely), he becomes the lowlife photographer who’s turned killing into an art form -- literally. Only a mention in the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner, screenwriter David Self expanded the Maguire character into an active pursuant of the Sullivans. Law breathes life into every one of Maguire’s scenes. Watch him roll a coin across his knuckles, from the moment we first see him walking towards us, he is captivating.