Clint Eastwood Movie:

Editorial Review:
Clint Eastwood's Blood Work is a refreshing reminder that Hollywood's young Turks can still learn a lesson from good old-fashioned craftsmanship. Settling into an easygoing groove that recalls his early work in Play Misty for Me, the 72-year-old producer-director-star acknowledges his age by playing a retired FBI profiler and recent heart-transplant recipient. He's recruited by his heart donor's grieving sister (Wanda De Jesus) to find her dead sibling's killer, and personal obligation compels his dutiful but health-risking investigation. From a sharp, sensible script by L.A. Confidential Oscar® winner Brian Helgeland (from Michael Connelly's novel), Blood Work consistently plays to Eastwood's no-nonsense approach, elevating the mystery while giving Jeff Daniels (as Eastwood's neighbor and amateur sidekick) a substantial role in the suspenseful proceedings. Some may chuckle at a brief Eastwood-De Jesus love scene, but there's ample proof here that Clint's still got all the right moves. --Jeff Shannon

Blood Work [Region 2] Reviews:
Another notch in the belt for one of Hollywood's Icons
2009-10-21 - Who could have imagined back in his TV days that Clint Eastwood at age 79 (as of the time I am writing) would have had one of the great Hollywood careers, with more films still on his plate to direct. A look at this one shows him at 72, producing, directing and starring in a finely crafted detective story. He allows his character to age suitably in keeping with his appearance which seems to owe nothing to plastic surgery or overdone makeup. The craggy look in the face gives him the aura of maturity with strength that is so rare at his age. At any rate, this is a good film, interesting to view, dominated by Eastwood helped out by a generally satisfactory cast. Nothing new but who cares. There are some tense moments, some suspense, a mystery killer, and a bit of romance, an appealing youngster, a blow-hard "cop" and assorted corpses; there is also a heart transplant which plays a key role in the plot ;( no secret revealed, it provides the initial motivation for retired FBI profiler Eastwood to become active again)
I imagine anyone who likes Eastwood's detective work will like this one; a good many more who like some action, mystery, and a solid character as lead, will also go for it.

The best Clint Eastwood movie ever!!!!
2009-10-18 - I love this movie! My husband is a big Clint Eastwood fan, and he agrees. The best one ever!! You can't go wrong with this one.

Stick to the Author's Plot!
2009-10-16 - "Blood Work" judged solely as a film is exciting, well-paced, and a thriller you may enjoy watching, but if you've read Michael Connelly's book with it cerebral plotting and intricate maneuvers, then you're going to be very disappointed. Produced, directed, and starring Clint Eastwood, it also features Jeff Daniels and Anjelica Huston.
It starts with Connelly's FBI profiler Terry McCaleb at a crime scene where he sees a message meant for him taunting him. In the crowd he spots the killer and runs after him. The exertion causes McCaleb to have a heart attack, but he has a chance to fire off some rounds at the murderer.
Two years later, Terry, the recipient of a heart transplant, is visited by his murdered donor's sister, Graciela, who wants him to find her sister's killer which he feels obligated to do. To him, "Murder is evil, a hateful thing."
Not having a "ticket," a private investigator's license he has to use his wiles and his connections in police departments to investigate the case. The sister was killed in a convenience store robbery that was caught on tape. The murder leads to another related killing at an ATM machine also caught on tape. Suspects turn up, but they, too, end up murdered. Also, inexplicably McCaleb is being followed.
The viewer's credulity gets sorely tested by some of the incidents as McCaleb follows up leads. Instead of following Connelly's plot, the screenwriter dreams up a melodramatic and incredible ending that even moviegoers, not knowing the book's plot, are going to find difficult to swallow.
The murderer would have to be a wonder worker to get around the way he does and get away with all the shenanigans that go on in the last third of the movie.
Mr. Eastwood, if you're going to choose the work of one of America's top crime writers, try to stick to his superior plotting and brainier twists and turns. Even though your acting if fine, your directorial and producing skills have produced a very flawed product.



Blood Work
2009-09-02 - This movie is based on the novel Blood Work by Michael Connelly. I am a big fan of Connelly's novels and, after reading the book, was looking forward to seeing the film. I am also a fan of Clint Eastwood, who starred in the film. I liked him in the part. It was very disappointing to me that the movie did not exactly follow the book. In fact the change that was made, made it very improbable, if not impossible, for them to make a film of any of Connelly's books that follow this one which are based on the same character.

Killer butchers book
2009-07-27 - Connelly's Blood Work is a pretty good novel, tightly plotted, quick-paced. This movie butchers it, adding nonsensical plot elements and overly wordy dialog.

The opening scene is already absurdly cliched, and ruins the atmosphere. Throughout, the dialog, acting, and directing borders on the inept. Veering between pointless additions to the book and overly literal interpretations of key scenes, this movie is unwatchable.