With such actors as Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, this movie met with all expectations and then some. Brilliant acting, marvellous photography, a strong plot line and period costumes, makes this the best movie in a heck of a long time.
The story takes place in 1931, when Al Capone and Frank Nitty ruled the gangsters in Chicago during the depression. Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is a hitman for a top crime boss, one level below that of the enforcer, Frank Nitty. Known as the Angel Of Death, Sullivan is a perfect husband and provider for his wife and family, yet is a true and loyal employee for his boss John Rooney (Paul Newman). After a wake for a dead member of Rooney's gang, the dead man was wrongfully blamed for siphoning off money from the mob and his brother threatened to tell all. John Rooney had his son Connor Rooney(Daniel Craig) and Michael Sullivan to go around and talk some sense into the dead man's brother but no harm was to befall him. Connor Rooney who had aspirations of taking over Chicago after his aging father John was gone, was responsible for an unauthorised killing. This killing was witnessed by Michael Sullivan Jnr who was all but 12 years old. Fearing that the boy might talk, Connor Rooney took it upon himself to make sure that no witnesses were left alive. He went around to the Sullivan house and killed Michael's wife and younger son. Fearing for his life, Sullivan contacted Frank Nitty for advice and protection. Loyalty and power then became the prime force in the direction of the movie and what ensued. Nitty sent another hired hitman, Harlen Maguire (Jude Law) to kill Michael Sullivan Snr and Jnr. In the meantime revenge for his family's murder, Sullivan and his son went on a six week spree, fleecing payoff money from the mob and killing all those responsible for the killings. Sullivan also revealed to John Rooney, that it was in fact his son Connor, that was ripping off the mob and building a future empire for himself. What happened in those six weeks was quite graphic with several poignant scenes between Michael Sullivan and his surviving son.
Definitely a story not to be missed as it will keep you guessing all the time as to who will betray who next, who is loyal to whom and who will be next to die. Solid and believable characters with a strong plot makes for a gripping movie with another Oscar awaiting Tom Hanks for his role as Michael Sullivan.
The story takes place in 1931, when Al Capone and Frank Nitty ruled the gangsters in Chicago during the depression. Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is a hitman for a top crime boss, one level below that of the enforcer, Frank Nitty. Known as the Angel Of Death, Sullivan is a perfect husband and provider for his wife and family, yet is a true and loyal employee for his boss John Rooney (Paul Newman). After a wake for a dead member of Rooney's gang, the dead man was wrongfully blamed for siphoning off money from the mob and his brother threatened to tell all. John Rooney had his son Connor Rooney(Daniel Craig) and Michael Sullivan to go around and talk some sense into the dead man's brother but no harm was to befall him. Connor Rooney who had aspirations of taking over Chicago after his aging father John was gone, was responsible for an unauthorised killing. This killing was witnessed by Michael Sullivan Jnr who was all but 12 years old. Fearing that the boy might talk, Connor Rooney took it upon himself to make sure that no witnesses were left alive. He went around to the Sullivan house and killed Michael's wife and younger son. Fearing for his life, Sullivan contacted Frank Nitty for advice and protection. Loyalty and power then became the prime force in the direction of the movie and what ensued. Nitty sent another hired hitman, Harlen Maguire (Jude Law) to kill Michael Sullivan Snr and Jnr. In the meantime revenge for his family's murder, Sullivan and his son went on a six week spree, fleecing payoff money from the mob and killing all those responsible for the killings. Sullivan also revealed to John Rooney, that it was in fact his son Connor, that was ripping off the mob and building a future empire for himself. What happened in those six weeks was quite graphic with several poignant scenes between Michael Sullivan and his surviving son.
Definitely a story not to be missed as it will keep you guessing all the time as to who will betray who next, who is loyal to whom and who will be next to die. Solid and believable characters with a strong plot makes for a gripping movie with another Oscar awaiting Tom Hanks for his role as Michael Sullivan.
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