Seen on: November 6, 2009

The players: Director: John Hillcoat, Writer: Joe Penhall, Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Charlize Theron

Facts of interest: Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy.

The plot: The film follows the story of a man and his son who try to reach the coast in a post-apocalyptic world.

Our thoughts: John Hillcoat’s “The Road” really blew my mind. I never read Cormac McCarthy’s acclaimed novel, but this big-screen adaptation kidnapped my attention right away and offered me an experience I’ll never forget. Poignant, visually stunning and boasting beautiful acting, this is without doubt one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

The story is that of father (Viggo Mortensen) and his young son who journey across a country devastated by a cataclysm unknown to us viewers. The world as we know it has come to an end, and most of humanity is gone. Facing nothing but endless wasteland, this man and his boy struggle to survive in a risky attempt to reach the coast.

The road they embark on takes them to many scary places, and if they don’t have to watch out for ruthless hunters looking to exploit and even devour other survivors, they must themselves struggle not to abandon their sense of humanity and let their desperation and hunger push them to a dark side with fatal consequences.

“The Road” boasts many unique qualities I quickly came to appreciate, and one of them is the development of the characters. Even though we don’t get to see the man and boy interact with many others, the conversations and intense moments they experience together range from emotional all the way to shocking, and most importantly, real.

Mortensen’s character makes some unconventional choices when it comes to protecting his son (he holds a gun to his head in perilous situations), but considering the strong character development in this film, I found it very easy to understand where these people come from. The relationship between father and son is utterly captivating.

Hillcoat and his production team did a fantastic job creating a post-apocalyptic world in which everything is in ruins, and the film’s bleak, yet totally intriguing visual style is one of the best things about it. Whether it’s a cold, empty forest or a rundown town or home, the places these characters visit help create an utterly depressing atmosphere.

“The Road” is certainly not an easy film to stomach, and the atmosphere you’ll find yourself is anything but joyful. Some of the scenes you get to experience here are downright horrifying, even though they certainly add to the movie’s attempt to portray the potential savagery humans can resort to when facing an end-of-the-world scenario.

Viggo Mortensen and the talented Kodi Smit-McPhee may spend most of the movie walking and talking, but the performances they deliver are quite simply brilliant. Authentically portraying starving characters trying to keep their sanity is not as easy as it may sound, but these guys make every scene they’re in a memorable moment.

The film also features a bunch of cameos, and I am happy to announce these scenes won me over as well. Charlize Theron gives a strong performance as the man’s wife, and Robert Duvall totally delivers in the role of an old stranger the protagonists meet. Even Guy Pearce’s incredibly short appearance works in many ways.

Freaky quote: "I will kill anyone who touches you. Because that's my job." - Viggo Mortensen

The final word: I don’t know how close the film is to the book, so I can’t comment on that. If it’s not, many readers may not enjoy this adaptation. As someone who hasn’t read the book though, I can only say that “The Road” is a powerful portrait of hope and humanity during dark times. It’s an emotionally strong and visually intriguing journey I totally recommend.

Article by Franck Tabouring