The Road

The Road envisions a world where some sort of cataclysmic event has destroyed virtually all life on earth. We never know exactly what it was, and for the purposes of this film, it doesn't really matter. The Road is about the will to survive, and what drives people to cling to life in the midst of hopelessness. A man and his son spend most of the film traveling south to the sea, where they hope that life will be better for them than the cold desolation that greets their every waking moment. They also trek across a world without sunlight, as the ash filled sky blocks its rays, and coats the terrain. Viggo Mortensen, and relative newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee play the man and son respectively, and their fine performances help make this film as riveting as it is. Besides the endless search for food, the pair must also avoid a roving band of cannibals; in a world where nothing grows, people are the ultimate delicacy. The man tells his frightened son that they are one of "good" guys, and he assures him that they will never resort to eating their fellow humans. He also instructs him as to the proper way to kill himself with a pistol, for the reality of their situation is never ending. I found The Road extremely interesting, and yes despite the depressing subject matter, quite entertaining. The film is based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, and also boasts an excellent script which helps create an ever present feeling of dramatic tension. Charlize Theron appears as the man's wife in an extended cameo, and Guy Pearce and a barely recognizable Robert Duvall appear in brief ones, and they all make their screen time count. One of the best films of the year, don't miss it.

Rating - 4 Stars