Even in the present cinematic climate of apocalypticism, engendered largely by the America vs Islam stand-off and the preponderance of environmental disaster/2012 scenarios, it's surprising to find Oscar consideration touching on a film as utterly devoid of hope as The Road. Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee, as The Man and The Boy, wander through a cursed land, littered with the broken and the dying, and the strength of their relationship forms the only impetus for them to continue on a futile quest for sanctuary. Like Cormac McCarthy's feted source work, this isn't interested in scientific explanations for the end of the world. This frees the barren land to act as a symbol of impending doom; the death that will eventually separate all sons from their fathers, and the characters remaining unnamed hammers home the symbolism.
Hillcoat's last feature, the gritty Outback Western The Proposition, was already saturated in earth hues, dust and grim senses of purpose. Here, all are taken a step beyond as the remaining colour is drained out, rust and rot coat everything and all motivations become last crutches. The starkly visualised devastation of the landscape is reflected in the ravagement of the characters' faces and souls, bar the untouched Boy, lingering icon of life. Mortensen's performance is agonisingly tender and helps, alongside the plot's avoidance of survival horror cliches in the midst of cannibals, to keep us linked into the universal human theme beneath the potentially overpowering metaphor. Indeed, if there is a criticism, it's that the symbolism is too heavy-handed, the characters just cyphers. But it will get under your skin regardless.
8/10
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