Jude Law On The Seamy Side

The "Oscar buzz" that surrounds the yet-to-open film "The Road to Perdition" comes as no surprise to actor Jude Law.

"I'm not surprised because Sam (director Sam Mendes) has made a wonderful movie," Law explains on The Early Show Wednesday. "The Road to Perdition," which opens this weekend, also stars Tom Hanks, Stanley Tucci and Paul Newman.

Most people are quick to describe Law as extremely handsome. However, in "The Road to Perdition," the actor looks quite the opposite.

Law plays the role of Maguire, a crime scene photographer who doubles as a hitman. For the role, Law was given a washed-out skin tone and beat-up hands, as a result of constant soaking in photo fluids.

The finishing touch: the gum line in his mouth was lowered and his teeth "rotted."

Law calls his character, a loner, the "out and out bad guy," pointing out that the other characters were redeemed by "their love of their families, their need to protect their families."

From the outside, the film looks like a typical gangster movie. However, Law says, "It's about a father and son finding each other in the most adverse situations. It's about parents and children, betrayal and honesty, and people and emotions and relationships, which we've all experienced. These are the epic qualities of life, which, for me, are what all great films are about."

Though he admits he was somewhat awed by the star status of the other cast members, Law says he enjoyed filming the movie: "It was just a joy to be there every day, to get up and go to work."

FAST FACTS ABOUT JUDE LAW:

• Born Dec. 29, 1972, in London, England.
• Named after the Thomas Hardy character and the Beatles song, "Hey Jude."
• His parents, Peter and Maggie Law, are both retired teachers.
• In 1985, Law joined the National Youth Music Theater in England.
• In 1995, he was the only member of the British cast invited to reprise his role when "Le Parents Terribles" was produced on Broadway under the title "Indiscretions"; nominated for a Tony Award as Featured Actor in a Play; formed a production company, Natural Nylon, with partners including Ewan McGregor and his wife, Sadie Frost.
• Law met Sadie Frost when they were filming the movie "Shopping" in 1994. They have two children together, and Frost has a child from a previous marriage.
• 1996: Filmed his first U.S. movie: "I Love You, I Love You Not," with Claire Danes.
• In 1999, he played the pivotal role of Dickie Greenleaf in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and earned an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor.
• In 2001, Law starred in "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence," which was directed by Steven Spielberg.
• This year, he returned to the stage in a London production of "Doctor Faustus."