•
Rating:
Clint Eastwood has done better. After watching this movie, I didn't feel any strong emotions or disappointment but simply thought that the good old Californian has done much better throughout his long career. "Blood Work" is not a bad film, but it certainly doesn't reach the heights of "Heartbreak Ridge", "Bird", "Unforgiven", and other works that would come later. The film in question, produced by the same man "with eyes of ice", is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Connelly and alternates between drama, thriller, and crime.
Terry McCaleb is dealing with the "code killer". During yet another murder, the assassin finds himself pursued by the investigator, and during this chase, Terry has a heart attack. Two years later, the detective is back in shape thanks to a heart transplant and discovers from Graciella (Wanda De Jesus) that his heart belonged to her sister, who was also killed by the serial killer. Terry thus feels he has a "debt" to the woman who granted him life and decides to help Graciella track down the killer.
Eastwood plays one of his (few) losers, afflicted characters. Terry McCaleb knows he's risking his own life investigating because his heart may not hold up. But he does all this to help others, because he wants justice. He goes so far that clashing with other police officers and agents is almost inevitable. Our "good Samaritan" holds respect for others and, for the first time, feels truly connected to someone. Yes, because he spent a life alone, dedicated to work, on his boat admiring the sunset. His only friend is Jasper (Jeff Daniels) who will become his right hand in his investigative wanderings...
Terry’s moral intentions are balanced by his resolve. Despite being retired, he still risks his life, owing to the job that made him famous and owing to the donor and her sister Graciella, the woman who brought him back to normalcy.
Following the usual excellent character portrayal typical of Eastwood, there is however a script that does not fully do its job, showing gaps that are not compensated in turn by action. There are plot twists, but the deliberately slow pace ends up weighing down a basic story that starts great and ends up boring. Luckily, the final scene (similar to Scorsese's "Cape Fear" ending sequences) provides that suspense that the old Clint still knows how to interpret brilliantly.
Blood Work (2002) remains a good film with essential direction and the usual great performance by Eastwood, but it sometimes lacks bite, sometimes failing to convey emotions. "The unforgiving" has certainly done better...
Loading comments slowly
