The Road I doubt I will ever see another film from the post-apocalypse subgenre that so powerfully and realistically captures the atmosphere of futility and despair of existing in a dead end world. The closest I can think of is Time of the Wolf.
The story is deceptively simple: A father and son make their way through the wasteland remains of America, heading for the coast. Out of that premise comes a series of scenes,
moments, which are starkly beautiful, at times filled with suspense erupting into sudden terror, all ultimately combining to form a painfully honest picture of human endurance.
Moments such as the Father showing his son how to properly put a pistol in his mouth and kill himself, if it must come to that. Their encounters with other people are seldom pleasant; Many have turned cannibal to survive.
The film is not unrelentingly grim, though the subject matter makes this mostly unavoidable; Nor should it be avoided, if the film is to be true to itself. Still, there are a precious few glimpses of happiness, peace, even joy and wonder.
The Father is played by Viggo Mortenson, in an impressive, humble performance. Kodi Smit-Mcphee is equally impressive as the Son, believably evincing his character's combination of naive youthfulness and solemn maturity that results from a child who has grown up too fast.
Other players in the film only add to the sense of documentary realism. Robert Duvall's small but key part lends his usual touch of humanity to a film so uncompromising that it borders on alienating the audience. Charlize Theron, in the Father's dreams and recollections, as a wife and mother broken by their harsh new world. Guy Pearce, as another Father, adds his own small contribution near the film's end.
The impact of the film cannot be overstated. It puts the lie to bubblegum sci-fi actioners such as Book of Eli, revealing their superficial charm and excitement as the hollow escapist fantasy it really is.
The Road is not an escapist fantasy. It is a work of art, with genuine emotional depth, remarkable cinematography, and great tension. It is not an "easy" film. It is not a "fun" one.
It
is honest, and haunting, and for those able and willing to invest in the struggle of these two people, it is an unforgettable experience.
9/10