Editing Road to Perdition (section)

===Fathers and sons===
The film also explores father-son relationships between Michael Sullivan and his son, Sullivan and his boss, John Rooney, and between Rooney and his son Connor. Sullivan simultaneously idolizes and fears Rooney, and Sullivan's son feels the same about his father. Rooney's son, Connor, has none of Sullivan's redeeming qualities, and Rooney is conflicted about whom to protect: his biological son or his surrogate son. Connor is jealous of his father's relationship with Sullivan, which fuels his actions, ultimately causing a [[domino effect]] that drives the film.<ref name="Fathers" />

Because Sullivan shields his background from his son, his attempt to preserve the father-son relationship is actually harmful. Tragedy brings Sullivan and his son together.<ref name="American">{{cite news|author=Sperling Reich, J. |url=http://reel.com/reel.asp?node=features/interviews/sammendes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014111141/http://reel.com/reel.asp?node=features%2Finterviews%2Fsammendes |archive-date=2007-10-14 |title=American 'Perdition' |access-date=2007-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sullivan escapes from the old world with his son, and the boy finds an opportunity to strengthen the relationship with his father. Tyler Hoechlin, who portrayed Michael Jr., explained, "His dad starts to realize that Michael is all he has now and how much he's been missing. I think the journey is of a father and son getting to know each other, and also finding out who they themselves are."<ref name="Fathers" />