Beauty is skin deep...

As well acted and as sublimely directed a film as you will ever see, but it just misses greatness because it lacks a heart.

I am almost 100% sure that this film underwent major cuts by the movie studio in order to get it in under two hours. The director probably fought tooth and nail to avoid this because he foresaw his great film being cut down to merely a very good one. Imagine how much more powerful this film would have been if we had seen more family interaction... Jennifer Jason Leigh is barely even on screen for more than a minute. It is a wonder and a credit to Sam Mendes that he is able to maintain the narrative as well as he does after having his film ravaged by the money moguls who don't trust an audience to have 2.5 or 3 hours of patience. Have any of them heard of 'The Godfather' or 'Goodfellas'???

This road is patient, paced, and beautiful... but it lacks an element of humanity. We feel for the young boy, but never enough to induce tears. We sympathize with Hanks' character because we feel he has no choice, that fate has dealt his hand, but yet again, something is missing that could allow us to treasure this film. Director Sam Mendes has created an old fashioned epic with all the ingredients necessary for a classic, but that chill that we felt down our spine during the final monologue in his previous effort, 'American Beauty', is missing.

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - B+ Richard Propes - B Jacob Hall -

Richard Propes' Comment

I loved watching this film, despite a script with many holes. Still, it was just stunning cinematography by Oscar-winner Conrad Hall. Another solid Hanks performance, with a great supporting turn by Jude Law. I loved Paul Newman, but I'm not sure it was worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Jacob Hall's Comment

n/a