Cast
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Clint Eastwood
as Terry McCaleb
Jeff Daniels
as Jasper 'Buddy' Noone
Anjelica Huston
as Dr. Bonnie Fox
Wanda De Jesus
as Graciella Rivers
Tina Lifford
as Detective Jaye Winston
Paul Rodríguez
as Detective Ronaldo Arrango
Dylan Walsh
as Detective John Waller
Mason Lucero
as Raymond Torres
Gerry Becker
as Mr. Toliver
Rick Hoffman
as James Lockridge
Alix Koromzay
as Mrs. Cordell
Igor Jijikine
as Mikhail Bolotov
Dina Eastwood
as Reporter #1
Beverly Leech
as Reporter #2
June Kyoto Lu
as Mrs. Kang
Crew
Director
- Clint Eastwood
Producer
- Clint Eastwood
Reviews
Wuchak
***Dirty Harry’s final case (not really, but seems like it)***
Recovering from a heart transplant, a retired FBI profiler (Clint Eastwood) takes a case as a private investigator because of his amazing link to one of the victims. Jeff Daniels plays his amusing neighbor, a dock bum, while Wanda De Jesus appears as his potential girlfriend.
“Blood Work” (2002) was based on a Michael Connelly novel and his corresponding protagonist, Terry McCaleb, but the movie comes across as Dirty Harry’s final case after retirement, sorta like “Gran Torino” (2008) was akin to “Dirty Harry, the Golden Years.”
Eastwood was 71 during shooting, but his character is roughly eight years younger and he pulls it off. I point this out to stress that he’s no longer kick-axx Dirty Harry. This is an aged, retired and recovering detective working on what is likely his last case. A lot of dialog is devoted to emphasizing how over-the-hill he is and how horrible he looks.
So, while this is a gritty big city detective flick in the mold of Dirty Harry, it’s way more subdued and mature. It’s more dramatic and less compelling. If you can roll with that, it’s a decent detective movie. It’s relatively realistic until the ending, which features a twist that I didn’t foresee (although others say they did). The climax is unlikely and smacks of a typical Hollywood ending. “A Simple Plan” (1998) did the same thing: a believable story that takes a “Yeah, right” turn at the close.
The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes and was shot in the Los Angeles area. Anjelica Huston also appears as a doctor while Paul Rodriguez is on hand as a cranky Hispanic detective.
GRADE: C+/B-
Mar 7, 2019
r96sk
Good entertainment.
I like the plot of <em>'Blood Work'</em>. I'm unsure if it would hold up if you went through with a fine-tooth comb, but it certainly gave me the required enjoyment levels. Clint Eastwood gives a sturdy performance, as do Jeff Daniels and Wanda De Jesus; elsewhere on the cast, neat to see Anjelica Huston and Rick Hoffman, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Suits_characters#:~:text=Faye%20to%20leave.-,Louis%20Litt,-%5Bedit%5D" rel="nofollow">Louis Litt</a> himself, appear in smaller roles.
It's not as unpredictable as it perhaps thinks it is, due to the casting more than anything, but I had a fun enough time with it.
Feb 8, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Thriller/Crime/Action/Mystery film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Blood Work distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Clint Eastwood brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2002, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Blood Work took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $50.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 110 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 138 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2002, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Blood Work shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Contact, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Blood Work subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Shining and Murder She Said explore similar territory, Blood Work stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 9, 2002
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Budget: $50,000,000
- Revenue: $31,794,718
