MovieChat Forums > Road to Perdition (2002) Discussion > Contract on the kid? Spoilers!

Contract on the kid? Spoilers!

posted 8 years ago by Kajohns49
6 replies | jump to latest

When Nitti was talking to Rooney Sr. about hiring the hitman Rooney made it clear he did not want the boy killed. Nitty then says something about boys growing up to be men with grudges, or something like that. Then Nitti is talking on the phone to Maguire and Maguire asks if the boy is to be killed as well. All we see is Maguire making a box out of the number one (he had written the boys age '12' during the conversation) and inside the box he draws an unhappy face. So, did the contract include the boy and if so did Rooney Sr change his mind? Did Nitti make a unilateral decision? Was the unhappy face drawn because he was NOT to be killed and Maguire was such a sicko that the unhappy face was because he wasn't going to be able to kill a kid?
I just saw this for the second time since it was released and I was reminded that I never did understand what happened there.

[–] WaySheGoes 8 years ago

I'm watching now and I interpret it as he is sad it's not a 2 person contract

[–] kenburke (2383) 5 years ago

I suspect Nitti went over Rooney Sr.'s head and decided to have both the father and the son killed.

[–] spurtle467 (1551) 5 years ago

I always interpreted it as the boy being part of the contract. It looks to me like Maguire draws a sort of headstone with crosses for eyes to symbolise death. And then the frown to represent sadness at no longer living.

[–] Jimmyt11111 (138) 5 years ago

I watched it for the first time last night. What a beautifully shot film. I think the assassin would've killed junior if he had been told to. As he didn't after killing Michael. By the way as soon as Michael walked into the house I was waiting for the bullets but still made me jump!

[–] redban (6543) 4 years ago

Yeah, I think Nitti asked Jude Law to kill Michael too. Rooney Sr. did say no, but Nitti felt otherwise, as indicated by his "the boy will grow up" comment.

If Jude Law had done the deed, Nitti probably would've told Rooney Sr., "I told the hitman not to kill Michael Jr. But ya' know, sometimes things happen."

[–] Foster (878) a year ago

I don't think Michael was supposed to be part of the hit --- Nitti looked kind of weird when Ronney senior said he wanted the boy to live

BUT

H e knew his hit man was going to take out the kid anyway

That's why when the hit man got his orders he drew the sad face, He knew Sullivan was going to be with the kid and the kid was gonna die