It's important to remember that at its heart, this is a mafia film. It’s framed like a dramatic story of growing up, which suggests something else entirely. There is an element of someone maturing, certainly, but it's a harsh and violent movie firmly grounded in its gangster origins. The relationship between the father and son is central, with attention given to their histories and personalities. The mother and brother feel more like minor characters who aren’t fully fleshed out. The visuals and locations are outstanding; they almost make the film worth watching on their own. I'm not convinced Tom Hanks delivers a performance consistent with his usual level of quality, although it could be precisely what the filmmaker wanted. I have to say that when the father and son stopped at a house seeking help, I realized how the story would conclude—it functions as a small moral lesson. Since I write novels in my free time, I often consider different ways stories might end. This film wouldn’t appear on any of my personal best-of lists, but I'm happy to have experienced this concentrated and moody piece of noir cinema.

Source on TMDB