"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

A trip worth taking or should you steer clear?

Apocalypse movies may be in vogue (2012, I am Legend, Book of Eli, et al) but The Road is about as far from the bombastic end of the world blockbusters of Roland Emmerich as you can get. Not least of all because – on paper at least – it sounds more misery-inducing than watching an Eastenders omnibus at a family wake.

“…hauntingly beautiful cinematography that captures a world bled of life and colour…”

Based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name, The Road tells of the desperate plight of a father (an emaciated Viggo Mortenson back in bearded Aragorn mode) and his young son (newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee) as they make their way to the coast.  As in the novel, we’re never told exactly how the world ends but we’re left with little doubt that it’s a manmade catastrophe which has reduced the world to an ashen wasteland. This is where the film comes into its own, using hauntingly beautiful cinematography to capture a world bled of life and colour.

At the film’s heart is the bond between a devoted father and his beloved son – the picture of innocence – in a world turning to hell.  (Perhaps this is a sentiment that many single parents can already relate to…).  The two are gradually starving to death on their perilous trek across a decimated America and must hide from the surviving populace, many of whom have resorted to cannibalism in their own desperate fight for survival.  This effectively makes it a thriller which builds tension and fear more poignantly than many ‘pure’ horror films. 

 “…a reality where there’s no longer any use for morals”.

Like Stephen King’s post-apocalyptic classic ‘The Stand’, The Road quickly separates survivors into two factions: the good guys and the bad guys.  Only here the distinction gradually becomes muddied and we’re forced to re-assess our perspective of good and evil, right and wrong.  The pair fight to remain true to their own integrity and values in a reality where there’s no longer any use for morals. 

In this respect it’s also a coming of age story for the boy, as his father imparts the knowledge and determination that could prove vital to his survival. These concepts are fleshed out very effectively with help from some familiar faces in supporting roles and cameos, particularly Robert Duvall, who’s barely recognisable as scene stealing old man, Eli.

“It’s hard to imagine anybody being better suited…”

The previously unknown Kodi Smit-McPhee does a respectable job of whimpering through the proceedings as the young boy, but perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s Mortenson who gives the stand-out performance.  It’s hard to imagine anybody being better suited to this role. He looks as though he’s gone down the method route and being sleeping rough in the woods for several years.

Director John Hillcoat has worked hard to harness the sombre tone of the novel and manages to say much about the human condition with few words, carefully alluding to the levels of depravity that the human race can sink to in desperate and chaotic times. Some of the more graphic moments from the book (barbequed babies anybody?) have been toned down or omitted entirely, but this does nothing to detract from the cold hard impact of the film.  

“…an unlikely glimmer of hope in a doom-laden tale”.

This restraint is a welcome surprise from the director whose last film was 2005’s visceral ‘The Proposition’, and it’s a relief that he manages to retain an unlikely glimmer of hope in such a doom-laden tale.  There’s at least a brief glimpse of faith in human nature and it shows a resilience of spirit that will hopefully limit the number of people departing the cinema at speed, via the rooftop.

The Road is commendably loyal to its poetic source material, and whilst it’s likely to get a nod come awards season it’s certainly not for everybody. If you enjoyed the book, or if you’re keen to experience a bleak dystopia that makes ‘Children of Men’ look like a Haven holiday camp then this could be the perfect diversion.

A gruelling journey, but The Road’s worth travelling.

****

Go further: visit the official site.