In a stark, bleak, desolate landscape, ravaged by some unknown disaster a father and son push a trolley laden with supplies on their journey South and towards the coast of America. This is the simple premise of the novel by Cormac McCarthy and this film adaptation by Joe Penahll (Enduring Love) and directed by John Hilcoat (The Proposition).

On a relatively modest budget Hilocat, along with his production designer Chris Kennedy and cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe (Talk To Her; The Others), have crafted a film that manages to conjure a strange beauty in its post-apocalyptic world. It's also exquisitely realised, there is a level of absolute plausibility to the reality in which this story takes places that instantly plunges the viewer into the events that unfold. Aiding this are the two wonderful central performances of Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings; A History of Violence) as the father and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Romulus, My Father) as his son. With most of the film's 115 minute running time focusing on these two characters alone it is vital they convince, and their realtionship is note perfect.

Mortensen is an actor who has consistently brought weight and gravitas to all his roles and he excels himself here, managing to artfully balance the wounded, determined and loving sides of his character with consumate skill. Smit-McPhee is also impressive, he plays a child who was born into this broken planet and only knows what his father has told him of the past. The most important part of their dynamic, beyond the father's fear of losing his boy or how his boy would cope without him, lies in Smit-McPhee's portrayl of the boy as someone curious, decent and rich with humanity. Whilst this story doesn't see the characters in pursuit of a world saving cure or heading toward a rescue boat its core is simply in the concept of 'carrying the fire', the goodness of people.

There is conflict in the film, with the father's consistent wavering over whether he should take his and his son's lives and the threat of other survivors now turned to cannibalism (this aspect of the story is played with menace and restraint), and as a viewing experience the tension is palpable throughout to nerve-shredding effect. And whilst the film deals with harrowing and gut-wrenchingly emotional subject matter it is not a depressing ride, sure, this isn't Mamma Mia! but it is a compelling, visceral and - without wishing to sound crass - an entertaining movie experience.

The Road is released in the UK on January 8th 2010 and has more than a strong chance of being one of next year's finest films.

For more information visit: http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/