Producer / director / star Clint Eastwood is in fine form here, in this Brian Helgeland-scripted adaptation of the novel by Michael Connelly. Eastwood plays Terry McCaleb, a former FBI agent who suffered a bad heart attack while pursuing a suspect from a murder scene. Two years later, he's alive and doing well thanks to a heart transplant. He learns that the woman whose heart he inherited was a victim of that killer from two years ago, and is implored by the woman's sister (Wanda De Jesus) to get justice for her sibling. Enlisting the services of a neighbour (Jeff Daniels, supplying all the comedy relief), Terry agrees to do his own investigating into the matter.
"Blood Work" is not at all bad of its type. It's well-made and well-acted. The strong supporting cast also includes Anjelica Huston, Paul Rodriguez (as a hostile jerk detective, the kind of character you sometimes see in cop movies of this ilk), Dylan Walsh, and Tina Lifford. Part of the effectiveness lies in detailing the evolving relationship between Terry and Graciella, who is now taking care of her late sisters' son (Mason Lucero); he feels a responsibility to the person who helped to save his life, while she can't shake the feeling that she might be asking too much of him. After all, his doctor (Huston) is worried about his current health.
While I'm told that the novel is a more nuanced and satisfying read, the film version ultimately becomes quite predictable, leading to a standard suspense-and-action finale where the previously subtle villain starts tearing into the scenery. But up to then, we get a fairly interesting yarn about a "connection", of sorts, between a hero cop and his quarry. It's all handled with a respectable amount of sensitivity by Eastwood and company, and does keep ones' attention. It's complete with your standard twists and red herrings, as well as some mild doses of sex and violence. It's also nice to see Eastwood acknowledge advancing age with a part that really fits him like a glove.
Seven out of 10.
"Blood Work" is not at all bad of its type. It's well-made and well-acted. The strong supporting cast also includes Anjelica Huston, Paul Rodriguez (as a hostile jerk detective, the kind of character you sometimes see in cop movies of this ilk), Dylan Walsh, and Tina Lifford. Part of the effectiveness lies in detailing the evolving relationship between Terry and Graciella, who is now taking care of her late sisters' son (Mason Lucero); he feels a responsibility to the person who helped to save his life, while she can't shake the feeling that she might be asking too much of him. After all, his doctor (Huston) is worried about his current health.
While I'm told that the novel is a more nuanced and satisfying read, the film version ultimately becomes quite predictable, leading to a standard suspense-and-action finale where the previously subtle villain starts tearing into the scenery. But up to then, we get a fairly interesting yarn about a "connection", of sorts, between a hero cop and his quarry. It's all handled with a respectable amount of sensitivity by Eastwood and company, and does keep ones' attention. It's complete with your standard twists and red herrings, as well as some mild doses of sex and violence. It's also nice to see Eastwood acknowledge advancing age with a part that really fits him like a glove.
Seven out of 10.