Starring: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Maguire Tyler Hoechlin, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Directed by: Sam Mendes

Sometimes you just can't go wrong. First we get a silver-screen gem called Insomnia with Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank and the director of Memento. In Road to Perdition we're treated to Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law and the director of American Beauty. And like Memento, Road to Perdition delivers a gripping story and acting that's hard to top.

Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a mobster under the rule of John Rooney (Newman). Rooney has always treated Sullivan as his own son, since he raised Sullivan from a very young age. However, Sullivan becomes a liability when his son Michael Sullivan Jr. (Hoechlin) witnesses a murder ordered by Rooney. After a botched hit on his son, Sullivan and Sullivan Jr. swear revenge on Rooney. Enter Maguire (Law), a killer hired to take out Sullivan.

As you would expect, this movie has Oscar written all over it. From the antique cars to the classic themes of loyalty and honor, this movie reeks of authenticity (even though most people aren't old enough to remember the 30's anyway). There are also some memorable scenes in the movie that show off the talent of director Sam Mendes.

But what will really suck you in, is of course, the acting. Hanks and Newman just plain brilliant in this movie. Newman plays both the grandfather figure to the Hoechlin, and the wizened old man to Hanks. Even the youngster Maguire Tyler Hoechlin is pretty convincing. Hanks and Hoechlin pull off the father-son routine very well; one scene involving Sullivan teaching his son how to drive really shows both a connection between the two characters, and the caliber of their acting.

The only complaint I have involves Jude Law's character, Maguire. His involvement in the movie proves to be minimal and feels tacked on to provide suspense. But other than that, Road to Perdition is a very enjoyable movie. Go ahead - take a break from the mindless summer movie offerings, and remind yourself of what good filmmaking really is.