Even through the worst of times, the bond between loved ones can provide hope when little exist. Some mysterious disaster has left America a desolate wasteland. It’s assumed that many humans have died, and those that are still around struggle to find food, warmth, and safety.
A “Man” (Viggo Mortensen), and his “Boy” (Kodi Smit-McPhee), wander what’s left of America in search of those vitals. Contending with the harsh environment is terrible enough, but having to be on watch constantly for cannibals only exacerbates matters. Their goal is to get to the coast where warmer weather and a potentially better living exists. But, The Road to it will be fraught with peril.
Think The Last of Us (that 2013 game inspired by this film) mashed with Fallout (without the Super Mutants), and what you get is The Road, adapted from the novel written by Cormac McCarthy. Like one of his other novels also adopted into film in No Country for Old Men, McCarthy’s stories are generally dark and brooding. The Road is no different, perhaps darker, than NCFOM.
Here, darker is both literal and figurative. Director John Hillcoat does an amazing job with crafting a world that just feels empty and void of anything. There’s nothing to be found but cold greys, rustic browns, and pitch blacks. It’s a depressing, but of course fitting, color palette for a depressing movie.
This is a world that one wouldn’t wish on anyone. Hillcoat delivers some standout scenes that are very uneasy to watch, even on repeated viewings (actually had to turn my head away once or twice on this most recent one). Make no mistake, The Road can be draining to watch, especially as the story, while existent, is awfully skim when examined. By most accounts, according to those who’ve read the novel (as claimed on message boards), this is where the film adaption is a little lacking. Additionally, those looking for some explanation as to what truly happened for the world to become how it is depicted, or why exactly it is so important that our heroes make it to the coast, will not find such a thing. That isn’t the story Hillcoat or McCarthy are trying to tell.
The story that is being told is a basic one, that of a father and son’s love for one another, one of the only few good and pure things in an otherwise bad world. This post-apocalyptic tale boats a strong cast, with names like Charlize Theron, Michael K. Williams, Guy Pearce, and Robert Duvall. They are all great, but can be seen as extended cameos; I don’t believe that any of their characters has more than five minutes of screentime.
The Road belongs to Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee. The two are realistic together and make the movie work, even in its super slow moments, because they are so good. Mortensen in particular does a wonderful job of just being a dad who wants to protect his son, in the best way possible. Many kids in the role Smit-Mcphee plays could come off as annoying or worthless, but McPhee stands alongside Mortensen comfortably. At the heart of it, at least to yours truly, neither character is all that fleshed out. But, The Boy has some real powerful moments in which he’s trying to make sense of a hellish scenario, and why his father does what he does.
The Road (to Hell) is paved with people with bad intentions. The grim nature of everything will be too much for some, and it can at times feel somewhat aimless, like walking around with no direction. But with two anchoring lead performances and a sound direction, there is good to be found, even if it takes a long while to show.
Grade: B-
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Nice review, I remember seeing this film in the cinema when it came out, I pretty much loved it but it was so brutal I don’t think I could ever watch it again.
This is my second time watching, and though I own the Blu-Ray, no real desire to watch again. Thanks for stopping by man!
I think my favorite John Hillcoat film is The Proposition (* * * 1/2 out of * * * *). While The Road had some good moments, it ranks as something of a disappointment. I know it is unfair to compare it to No Country for Old Men which was a far superior Cormac McCarthy adaptation and had not one, but two far superior filmmakers behind it (Joel and Ethan Coen, who also wrote the script). Anyway, great review and keep up the great work as always 🙂
Have yet to see! But, I’ll try to get on a Hillcoat kick before Triple 9, which I’m really excited for.
For what its worth, I didn’t unabashedly love No County for Old Men, but I do like its characters much more. I didn’t hate the characters in The Road, but there isn’t much to them, either.
I can only vaguely remember this film..would have to re-watch – but nice look at it!!! 😀
Get ready to feel all sad and icky then lol!
I feel like that’s what I remember of it and never wanted to do it again.. hahahahhaahhaha
Big fan of it and I’ve been meaning to see it again. Really have a hard time remembering that much about it.
I will say that though there are standout scenes, you might be surprised at how little goes on outside of these. I still think it is a good movie, but I can see where it is just too much of a downer drag for some.