American Beauty director Sam Mendes soundly defeats the dreaded Sophomore Jinx with his stunning second effort, the crime drama Road To Perdition. Based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, Road is a haunting, moving work of cinematic art for adults that will linger in the memory long after its conclusion.

The film is set in Chicago, Illinois during the Great Depression. Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is a loving, devoted family man who is also a hit man for Irish Mob crime boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), a man who treats Michael like a son. Although his wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is aware of what Michael does for work, his two sons, Peter (Liam Aiken) and Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin), do not.

One rainy night, all that changes. Michael Jr. sneaks into his father's car when he goes out on a job with Rooney's unstable son Connor (Daniel Craig) and witnesses the duo gun down four men in cold blood. Afraid that the boy will talk about the incident, the Rooneys decide to get rid of the Sullivans. Fate spares Michael Sr. and Jr., allowing them to head off on a journey instigated by tragedy and fuelled by revenge.

Mendes' directing is every bit as good as it was three years ago with American Beauty. Working from David Self's richly layered and beautifully written screenplay adaptation, the directing exudes intelligence and confidence from the first scene to the last. American Beauty introduced Sam Mendes to the cinematic world as a director with a great vision and talent. Road To Perdition confirms both of those in abundance.

Hanks delivers a quietly distinct and studied turn as the cold-blooded killer attempting to connect with what is left of his family before it's too late. Newman infuses his Godfather-like role with dignity and empathy, while Jude Law is suitably creepy as the Weegee-like crime photographer, Maguire, who moonlights as an assassin. Craig and Stanley Tucci, as gangster Frank Nitti, are also standouts in supporting roles.

The biggest surprise in the cast comes from Tyler Hoechlin's restrained and naturalistic performance as Michael Jr.. Despite this being his first role, Hoechlin shows that he has what it takes to hold his own against screen vets such as Newman and Hanks. This is one actor to keep an eye on in the future.

If there is a mis-step to be had anywhere in the film, it is the role of Annie Sullivan, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. The character is slight and gives Leigh only about five minutes in total. Granted, Annie was in the graphic novel even less than she is here, but if Mendes is going to bother getting an actress as talented as Leigh, he ought to have given her a bit more to work with.

Thomas Newman, who composed the music for American Beauty, turns in yet another low-key, beautiful score here. Conrad Hall, one of film's most talented cinematographers, turns in what may be his best work to date. Despite the film's drab and muted color palette, the beauty of Hall's perfectly composed and designed photography shines through in every frame. It captures Dennis Gassner's knockout production design; creating images that will stay with you for quite some time.

To think of Road To Perdition simply as a gangster film is dismissive to the film's makers. It does indeed pack quite a punch as a genre film and is easily the best since 1990's Miller's Crossing.

But there is so much more beyond men in trench coats with Tommy Guns shooting it out in the wintry streets of Chicago presented here. It's a deft examination of honour, betrayal and loyalty. It is also a moving story of reconciliation between parent and child that will hit home with everyone.

Road To Perdition is a road well worth travelling.

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