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Road to Perdition

2002 film by Sam Mendes

Road to Perdition is a 2002 film in which bonds of loyalty are put to the test when a 1930s mob hitman's son witnesses what his father does for a living.

When people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man, or if there was just no good in him at all, I always give the same answer. I just tell them... he was my father.
Directed by Sam Mendes. Written by David Self, based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins.
Pray for Michael Sullivan taglines

Michael Sullivan, Jr.

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  • There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Others say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931. This is our story.
  • I saw then that my father's only fear was that his son would follow the same road. And that was the last time I ever held a gun. People always thought I grew up on a farm. And I guess, in a way, I did. But I lived a lifetime before that, in those six weeks on the road in the winter of 1931. When people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man, or if there was just no good in him at all, I always give the same answer. I just tell them... he was my father.

John Rooney

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  • Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.
  • What men do after work is what made us rich. No need to screw them at work as well.
  • [After losing a dice game to Michael Jr., he hands over a silver coin] A man of honor always pays his debts... and keeps his word.
  • You would like to apologize? Try again.
  • Let's drink to Danny's honor. Let's wake him to God and hope he gets to Heaven... at least an hour before the devil finds out he's dead.
  • [beating Connor] I curse... the fucking... day... you were born. I curse it!
  • [to Michael, right before dying] I'm glad it's you.
  • This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see Heaven.

Michael Sullivan

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  • (last words) I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry... I'm sorry.

Harlen Maguire

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  • I shoot the dead. Dead bodies, that is. I don't kill them.
  • [Photographing Micheal as he lays dying] Smile.
  • I'm something of a rarity.

Others

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  • Alexander Rance: This is Mr. Rance in the bridal suite and before you proffer your phony congratulations there is no Mrs. Rance residing with me and I'm all the better for it. Now, listen carefully because I am in no mood. I'm going to say this only once. I would like a boiled egg and I want it runny.
  • Alexander Rance: Finally, Top marks for speed. No marks for cookery.
  • Finn McGovern: [to John Rooney] You rule this town as God rules the Earth.
  • Speakeasy employee: All the money for frills and twists and none at all for food or neccessities. Sometimes I think I am dealing with a different species.

Dialogue

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Peter Sullivan: Why are you always smiling?
Connor Rooney: 'Cause it's all so fuckin' hysterical.
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: [after seeing his father kill Finn’s bodyguards] Does Mama know?
Michael Sullivan: Your mother knows I love Mr. Rooney. When we had nothing, he gave us a home... a life... and we owe him.
Connor Rooney: I can look after myself.
Frank Nitti: No, you can't! This is the point. You're a big baby who doesn't know his thumb from his dick!
Michael Sullivan: You gonna frisk me?
Frank the Bouncer: Should I?
Michael Sullivan: It's a good idea.
Harlen Maguire: [after Maguire tells Sullivan about his profession] You ever seen one?
Michael Sullivan: Yeah.
Harlen Maguire: Sorry for you. Terrible thing... but it sure makes you feel alive, don't it?
Michael Sullivan: I'll drink to that.
[Maguire has pulled out a camera]
Michael Sullivan: Is that, uh... your profession or... your pleasure?
Harlen Maguire: Both, I guess. To be paid to do what you love... ain't that the dream?
Mr. McDougal: Well this is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting another deposit until the end of the month.
Michael Sullivan: Actually, I'm making a withdrawal.
[Michael pulls his pistol on Mr. McDougal, who starts to comply but Michael motions for him to wait]
Michael Sullivan: And I want dirty money only, everything you're holding for Capone that's off the books. Open the safe.
Mr. McDougal: You're insane. You know they'll find out who you are.
Michael Sullivan: The name's Sullivan. You want me to spell it?
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: So when do I get my share of the money?
Michael Sullivan, Sr: Well... how much do you want?
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Two hundred dollars.
Michael Sullivan, Sr: Okay. Deal. [Michael Jr. stops eating and thinks for awhile]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Could I have had more?
Michael Sullivan, Sr: You'll never know.
Betty the Waitress: So what brings you guys to the middle of nowhere?
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: We're bank robbers.
Michael Sullivan: I'd like to work for you.
Frank Nitti: [Chuckles] Well... that's very interesting.
Michael Sullivan: And in return, I'd like you to turn a blind eye to... what I have to do.
Frank Nitti: And what is that?
Michael Sullivan: Kill the man who murdered my family.
Mr. McDougal: You really trust me not to say anything?
Michael Sullivan: Always trust a bank manager.
Michael Sullivan: [teaching his son to drive] Look out for the tractor, Mike. Michael... look out for the tractor. You're coming up now. Watch out for the tractor. Watch out for the tractor! Watch out for the tractor!
[Sullivan, Jr. swerves to avoid the tractor in the nick of time]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: We made it!
Michael Sullivan: [sarcastically] Oh, yeah, yeah. We made it.
[Sullivan has a gun to Kelly's head]
Jack Kelly: Think, Mike. Don't be stupid. I'm just the messenger.
Michael Sullivan: [lowers his gun] Then give Mr. Rooney a message for me.
Jack Kelly: What is it?
[Sullivan shoots him]
[a knock at the door]
Alexander Rance: It's open. Top marks for speed, no marks for cookery.
[holding plate with egg]
Alexander Rance: What, may I ask, do you call this?
Michael Sullivan: Put it down.
Alexander Rance: Mr. Sullivan!
Michael Sullivan: Mr. Rance.
Alexander Rance: How did you find me?
Michael Sullivan: This is the best hotel in the area and you are so very... particular.
Alexander Rance: Yes, indeed, Mr. Sullivan.
Alexander Rance: What do you think you're going to accomplish by interfering with our business, Mr. Sullivan?
Michael Sullivan: This has nothing to do with your business.
Alexander Rance: It's all business. That's what you fail to grasp. And in business, you must have something to trade. And you, Mr. Sullivan, have nothing to trade. Especially not for anyone as valuable as Connor Rooney.
[in the church]
Michael Sullivan: Hello John.
John Rooney: You're a smart man, Michael.
Michael Sullivan: I wanna talk.
John Rooney: Here?
Michael Sullivan: Downstairs.
[in the church basement]
John Rooney: I didn't think I'd see you again.
Michael Sullivan: Read this. Connor's been stealing from you for years. He keeps accounts open under the names of dead men. Men like the McGoverns. I stood there and helped him kill Finn to line his own pockets. I thought was I working for you, but I wasn't.
John Rooney: You think I'd give up my son?
Michael Sullivan: He was betraying you.
John Rooney: I know. Now, listen to me. I tried to avoid more bloodshed. You wouldn't accept that, so I did what was necessary. But I've always loved you like a son. And now I'm telling you, leave before it's to late.
Michael Sullivan: Think. Think. They're protecting him now, but when you're gone, they won't need him. This ends with Connor dead regardless.
John Rooney: That may be. But you are asking me to give you the key to his room so you can walk in, put a gun to his head, and pull the trigger. I can't do that.
Michael Sullivan: He murdered Annie and Peter!
John Rooney: There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven.
Michael Sullivan: Michael could.
John Rooney: Then do everything that you can to see that that happens. Leave. I'm begging you. It's the only way.
Michael Sullivan: And if I go?
John Rooney: Then I will mourn the son I lost.
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Did you like Peter more than me?
Michael Sullivan: No. I loved you both the same.
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: You were always... different with me.
Michael Sullivan: Was I?
[Sullivan thinks for a while]
Michael Sullivan: Well, I suppose it was because Peter was just... such a sweet little boy, you know? And you... you were more like me. And I... didn't want you to be.
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: What are you going to do?
Michael Sullivan: [assembling his Tommy gun] Just one last thing, and then it's done.
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I couldn't do it.
Michael Sullivan: I know.

Taglines

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  • Pray for Michael Sullivan.

Cast

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