“FIRE AND BRIMSTONE AND LOVE”
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Michael K. Williams, Guy Pearce, Molly Parker and Charlize Theron
Directed by: John Hillcoat
MPAA Rating: R for some violence, disturbing images and language.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Release date: November 2009
By John Delia
Think desolation, wasteland and survival when you go to see The Road. The film is brilliantly directed, acted and photographed showing the dreary side of the closing stages of civilization. I liked the taught drama and what if storyline in this purposely depressing film.
A cataclysmic event has put the world into a trash heap as we find a family of three survivors of this huge disaster at wits end. The film jumps ahead and now the father (Mortensen) and his son (Smit-McPhee) take to the road to find some sort of hope and salvation with others that may still be alive. During the trip we get a glimpse of the dangers of cannibalism, murder and a love of a father for his son.
The direction by Hillcoat is superb maintaining the bleak, drab and dangerous tone of the film throughout. His ability to keep his cast on target in this difficult to depict depressed and vengeance filled movie is amazing to watch. I especially liked the way he handled the cause of the cataclysmic event and lets the audience choose for themselves. With all the speculation of global warming, seismic explosions on the sun and even horrific effects of a possible nuclear war it could have been any of the three that made the earth a wasteland.
Acting in this film should earn a possible best actor and supporting come Oscar time. If I were to choose which character Mortensen has depicted best in his career, I would have to say it was this one. Changing from ordinary family man to frightened to protector while showing an undying love for his son in the face of adversity is exceptional. In support Robert Duval shows his fine acting ability as a lonely hermit on the road who has to beg for life where there is none to give.
The Road is rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language that are important to the storyline. Although The Road is actually a movie of love of a father for his son, it may be disturbing to the very young.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â Pure brilliance in bringing the heart felt drama to the screen. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)