I think it is fair to say that Tom Hanks plays against type in this movie where he plays a crime boss enforcer with a machine gun. The fact that we still can relate to and sympathize with the Hanks character is a tribute to both the acting of Tom Hanks and the strength of this story. We also see a vision of the midwest in the 1930's that is credible and even inviting. Adding Paul Newman to the cast adds more to the interest in seeing the movie than in the final quality of the movie. I love watching Newman in any movie but the story of a father fighting for the future of his son is really a show case for Hanks to show his acting skills.