Review of Blood and Wine (1996) by Gavin D — 08 May 2012

The 6th collaboration between director Bob Rafelson and actor Jack Nicholson, in a relation that goes back to the Monkee's film Head (1968). Here, they teamed up with Oscar winning British producer Jeremy Thomas for this modern day film noir which has double-crossing and family loyalty, and it has a brilliant cast who were game to do a small, independent film like this.

Miami, and wine merchant Alex Gates (Nicholson) has a good life, living with wife Suzanne (Judy Davis) and stepson Jason (Stephen Dorff). However, all this is a facade, Alex's business is on the rocks and he's in debt badly, and he's having an affair with his Cuban mistress Gabriela (Jennifer Lopez).

Years earlier, Alex used to take part in robberies, before he gave it up for the wine business, but he's lured back into the business by old friend and safe cracker Victor Spansky (Michael Caine), where they plan to steal an expensive diamond necklace from one of Alex's wine clients.

The heist goes well, but when Suzanne learns of Alex's double dealings, she tries to kill him, and Jason ends up on the run with the necklace, with Alex and Victor in pursuit to get it back. It's a good thriller with a lot of twists and turns throughout.

It's surprising that a film with a cast as big as this hardly did any business, Nicholson is his usual self while Caine turns in a brilliant performance that helped put him back on the map after a few flops.

Rafelson is one of the great unsung heroes of American cinema, and his work deserves a lot more recognition.