Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Viggo Mortensen | ... | ||
Kodi Smit-McPhee | ... | ||
Robert Duvall | ... | ||
Guy Pearce | ... | ||
Molly Parker | ... |
Motherly Woman
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Michael Kenneth Williams | ... | ||
Garret Dillahunt | ... |
Gang Member
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Charlize Theron | ... | ||
Bob Jennings | ... |
Bearded Man
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Agnes Herrmann | ... |
Archer's Woman
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Buddy Sosthand | ... |
Archer
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Kirk Brown | ... |
Bearded Face
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Jack Erdie | ... |
Bearded Man #2
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David August Lindauer | ... |
Man On Mattress
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Gina Preciado | ... |
Well Fed Woman
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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. The sky is dark. Their destination is the warmer south, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing: just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless cannibalistic bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a rusting shopping cart of scavenged food--and each other. Written by Sean Pollock
I just got home from seeing "The Road" and my stomach is still in a knot. I never read the book and therefore won't be making any comparisons. I'll simply comment on the film.
I can't imagine the performances being any better from any of the actors, starting at Viggo and working my way down to the smallest roles. I can't imagine the bleak post-apocalyptic world being portrayed any more realistically. I can't imagine the general feeling of sadness, desperation, hopelessness, terror and pain being captured more accurately. If that was the goal, the people involved in the making of this movie did their job magnificently.
Having said that, it isn't for everyone. I saw this movie alone because I had a feeling my wife wouldn't be into it. It's tough to watch. However, in the midst of this recession brought on by greed and materialism, I think it's a movie that everyone of age SHOULD see in order to put things back into perspective, if only for a day.
I had a lump in my throat through most of the movie and was desperate to get home and hug my two boys through most of it as well. I also felt like downsizing our entire life in terms of the unnecessary "stuff" we have. I imagined how many homeless people wander the streets right now with that feeling of hopelessness and desperation. What more could I ask from a Saturday afternoon at the theater? It's this kind of movie that helps maintain a degree of integrity in the film industry among the inaneness that surrounds it.