Review of Blood Work (2009) by Timothy S — 27 Apr 2012

Clint Eastwood's days of playing Dirty Harry Callahan are clearly behind him, and his latest film as star and director has him playing an age appropriate retired FBI profiler. It's a part that fits Eastwood, tailor-made for him even, and he's not the reckless, one-man police force that he made famous in "Blood Work". He's a heart patient this time out, and his vulnerability makes him easier than ever before to identify with.

The film is a sharp police procedural, more laid back and mature than his "Dirty Harry" films, with a terrific jazz score and an unusual premise that grabs your attention and holds it. Unfortunately, things fall apart and they fall apart fast in the final act. The revelation of the killer is a joke, and it comes so far out of left field that it feels tacked on solely to throw the audience for a loop. It does just that, but it just doesn't feel genuine and betrays everything good that the film had going for it.

The finale that features Jeff Daniels getting trigger happy with a machine gun, is quite simply ludicrous. He looks like Scarface, and that's completely out of place here. Also not fitting in is a supporting performance by Paul Rodriguez spouting inappropriate and stereotypical humor. It would have fit in during many other Eastwood films, but it doesn't in this one.

I was also disappointed to see a romantic relationship develop between the star and his much younger co-star Wanda DeJesus. I was about to praise the film for avoiding that cliche, but it eventually gives in. There's a lot to admire about "Blood Work", but a lot of it goes awry in the last minute. Until then, it's a very enjoyable thriller.