Chicago Mobster's Road to Perdition

A Mob assassin goes on the run after his young son witnesses him at work.

Sam Mendes creates an enjoyable (if somewhat self-conscious) flick from Max Allan Collins's grim tale of betrayal and vengeance.

Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a contract killer for the Chicago Mob who faces a life-changing - as opposed to life-ending - decision in 1931 when his son discovers the true nature of his employment with Mr Rooney (Paul Newman).

The road to perdition is paved with good intentions as is the film. The story is hardly fresh but the skill involved in telling it is admirable. Hanks is woefully miscast but comes into his own when the story veers into sentimentality and bathos. Jude Law, as a weirdo photographer, brings some sorely needed spirit to proceedings.

Thanks to Doug Anderson