SAM MENDES directed this july 2002 dreamworks release – ROAD TO PERDITION. some critics called it one of the greatest achievements of film-making of this decade. it is not only the good story and perfect acting that makes this film special to me. as source of inspiration mendes and cinematographer CONRAD HALL drew from the paintings of EDWARD HOPPER, especially his NEW YORK MOVIE from 1939. the film has numerous very unusual shots and amazing compositions, with an interesting depth of field use. a big influence for a lot of shots were the panels in the graphic novel, illustrated by RICHARD PIERS RAYNER. I should not forget to mention the outstanding work in this film of production designer DENNIS GASSNER and costume designer ALBERT WOLSKY.
© DREAMWORKS
© edward hopper
© richard piers rayner/max allan collins
my name is hans bacher, – I work as production designer in the animation film industry. for the last 40 years I lived and worked in duesseldorf, london, paris, los angeles, manila and tokyo. now I am professor for film-design at the nanyang techn. university in singapore.
Thank you, this post is a great source of inspiration!
hans,
i love that film. thanks for the post..now i’ve learned about dennis gassner!
It’s a beautiful surprise to have your comment on my blog!
Thank you.
Your blog is really a source of inspiration and knowledge.
For me it’s like when I studied at the Disney’s Academy, in Milan, where I have had the fortune to meet many good Disney artists from all the world.
I hope you will come again to visit my blog.
Road To Perdition is the American version of Lone Wolf and Cub? Interesting idea. Is there any indication that Sam Mendes or Richard Rayner were consciously thinking along this line?
from hans -
it is apparently an hommage to the japanese work. even the illustrated novel. there are lots of articles about the film where they talk about the issue
Never did get to catch the film or read the graphic novel, but this is just one more reason for me to do so!
Big fan of Lone Wolf and Cub too, though I think the manga meandered a bit too long towards the end.
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!