Reviewed by Kate Rodger
Viggo Mortensen isn’t afraid of the big bad wolf, and he's certainly not afraid of taking on tough roles.
In
The Road he is the desperate father of a young
boy, willing to do anything to protect his son, as they traverse a land
so violently hostile that to survive seems only a faint hope at
best.
Australian director John Hillcoat is a
master of tone and hue. He showed that with The Proposition
and he certainly doesn't fail us here.
If
you've read Cormac Macarthy's stunning novel The
Road, then you know what you're in for here. This story now
told in its full cinematic glory is an all-senses terrifyingly bleak,
at time's searingly soul-destroying experience, even with an ending
that at least shines a faint light. It’s hard to find much fault with
the filmmaking here - great performances and a story very well told,
but you must be in the mood.
Four stars.
The Road
:: Director: John Hillcoat
::
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize
Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce
:: Running Time: 112 mins
:: Rating: R16 - Contains Violence & Content That May Disturb
:: Release Date: March 18, 2010
::
Trailer: Click
here
