In a moment, the world changed forever.
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind and water. It is cold enough to crack stones and, when the snow falls, it is gray. Their destination is the warmer south, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there.
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Character
Earnest, grave, contemporary and contemplative.
- earnestironic
- gravecomic
- contemporarynostalgic
- contemplativerelentless
- classical in formformally daring
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“Is The Road emotionally manipulative?”
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“Is Viggo Mortensen the best thing in The Road?”
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“Is the book better?”
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- CinemaSerfon TMDB · Feb 20257/10
Yikes, but this is bleak! Many years after some disaster has struck down American civilisation, we meet a man (Viggo Mortensen) and his curious young son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who are trying to make it from the wooded hinterland to the coast in the hope that things might be better, and hopefully warmer, there. At least the ocean ought to add a bit of blue to their remarkably dull surroundings. They do have guns, but only two bullets which he is saving for emergencies should they encounter any of the other survivors from this apocalypse who might just decide that either or both of them are fare game. There is plenty of water, but a distinct paucity of food and so this is a continuing struggle to feed themselves and to stay alive. The young lad has never known any other kind of life so rather stoically, initially at least, follows as instructed. Dad, on the other hand, has memories - and those of his wife (Charlize Theron) provide him with the occasional succour as he realises, as do we, that things are not looking great for this pair - or, indeed, for humanity in general. There’s an engaging dynamic here between the two travellers; the photography goes some way to creating the cold and
Read the whole review on TMDB - The Movie Mobon TMDB · Dec 20226/10
**The Road paints a grim and genuine picture of the dangers and greed of a world surviving the collapse of society and hope.** The Road is a realistic and super depressing depiction of a post-apocalyptic world. Viggo Mortensen’s portrayal of an unyielding father doing whatever he can to keep his son alive and prepare him for survival is gripping and powerful. This movie made me want to hold my kids close, hug them tight, and thank the Lord we don’t live in that situation. Because of the gritty and gloomy atmosphere and subject matter of the film, it is not a movie I can say I enjoyed, but it was incredibly well done and well acted. The ending seemed pretty hopeful and easy compared to the rest of the film, which was disappointing and comforting as it felt unearned but also eased my concern for the characters' future. I will not revisit The Road, but I’m glad I have seen it.
Read the whole review on TMDB - Wuchakon TMDB · Jun 20215/10
_**Grey, maudlin post-apocalyptic drama with some horrific thrills**_ After a mass extinction event, a man & his son (Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee) walk from western Pennsylvania to the Southeast coast trying to survive a life-or-death situation in a world without laws as people prey on each other. Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce and Molly Parker show up for small parts. Based on Cormac McCarthy’s final novel, "The Road" (2009) is similar to “Carriers,” released almost three months earlier. Unlike semi-goofy post-apocalyptic films like the original Mad Max trilogy, "The Road" and "Carriers" are deadly serious from beginning to end with no comic book nonsense. This works in their favor because both films give us a window into what life would be like after a worldwide crisis destroys conventional society. Each film explores one's reaction to such a world-ending disaster: Do we forsake all sense of morality in an attempt to survive – lie, steal, forsake and murder – or do we hold on to our moral compass, come what may? Is life worth living if you must become an immoral, wicked savage to survive? Isn't it better to live with dignity at all costs – fight with nobility
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Cast
- Viggo MortensenFather
- Kodi Smit-McPheeBoy
- Charlize TheronMother
- Robert DuvallOld Man - Eli
- Guy PearceVeteran
- Molly ParkerFriendly Woman
- Michael Kenneth WilliamsThe Thief
- Garret DillahuntGang Member
- Bob JenningsBearded Man
- Buddy SosthandArcher
Crew
- John HillcoatDirector
- Joe PenhallScreenplay
- Cormac McCarthyNovel
- Javier AguirresarobeDirector of Photography
- Nick CaveOriginal Music Composer
- Warren EllisOriginal Music Composer
- Jon GregoryEditor
- Nick WechslerProducer
- Paula Mae SchwartzProducer
- Steve SchwartzProducer
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Pairings
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Similar in taste
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In the Bedroom 200176% alikeBoth grave, earnest, contemporary.
The Corner 200076% alikeTelevision · Both earnest, grave, contemporary.
Top of the Lake 201376% alikeTelevision · Both contemporary, grave, earnest.
Often watched with
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