Blood Work
If you're a quasi-macho man, there's a good chance that you are a fan of Clint Eastwood (or at least you respect his work). OK, his limited range as an actor yields one basic character: a gruff, tough, gets-the-job-done hard-ass that we'd all like to be sometimes. As a director, Eastwood keeps the film's pace even by constantly moving the story forward with few distractions. His new release, Blood Work, is all of the above.
Terry McCaleb is an FBI profiler, one of the best in the game. His latest case is a serial killer who leaves personalized messages for McCaleb at each crime scene. While McCaleb is investigating the latest murder, he notices a suspicious person wearing a mask. He chases the killer but then suffers a heart attack.
Two years later, retired FBI profiler McCaleb is taking it easy after a heart transplant. That is, until a woman named Graciella Rivers asks him to investigate her sister's homicide. McCaleb tries to explain that he is retired, but Graciella lays on the guilt by revealing that McCaleb received her heart after her sister Gloria died. McCaleb reluctantly takes the case despite the lack of authority to conduct a private investigation.
Many moviegoers would label Blood Work as a "genre film." It offers nothing new to filmmaking, specifically suspense thrillers, but mystery fans will still enjoy it. Blood Work would also appeal to Eastwood fans, because he's the same ol' Clint they've admired since Dirty Harry.
Even though this movie didn't break any new ground, it raised some interesting real-life issues. What responsibility does an organ recipient owe to the donor's family? Graciella believes that McCaleb has been given a second chance, and he should use it for a good purpose. McCaleb's doctor, who wants her patient to relax, argues that he owes Graciella nothing; her sister would have died whether he got her heart or not. SPOLIER ALERT: Please forgive me if I reveal too much, but it is revealed later that McCaleb's need for a new heart and the woman's death is not a coincidence. In this case, McCaleb has a moral obligation to bring the killer to justice.
The performances are generally solid. Eastwood brings his trademark dry wit. Jeff Daniels (Dumb & Dumber) provides comic relief as McCaleb's neighbor/assistant. Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums) even does a good job with the small role of Dr. Bonnie Fox. As McCaleb's doctor, she shows sincere concern for his life and even becomes a significant part of the plot.
Blood Work is one of the better suspense thrillers in recent times. The killer's identity truly surprised me for many reasons that I won't mention, because it might spoil the movie. If you choose to see this movie, don't get your hopes up. That goes double for the know-it-alls who can explain the plot in the first five minutes of the movie.
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There's not much imbibing in Blood Work, but drinking and watching a Clint Eastwood flick go well together.
The obligatory suggested sex scene ignites as many fires as a wet matchbook.
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