Blood Work
March 2003 Reviewed by: Anthony Di Marco Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Vanity is a sin that haunts most people. The insecurities of movie stars are more exposed because they live in the limelight. Just look at some of the roles Arnold Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford have chosen over the last 10 years. Whether struggling to maintain an indestructible action-hero image or potent sex appeal, it’s obvious that actors are trying to act younger than their age -- and in the case of movies like Collateral Damage or Random Hearts, their efforts make them look silly.

By comparison, Clint Eastwood seems completely at ease with his age and appearance. Over the past decade he has maintained his career by playing older, often highly flawed roles: decrepit gunslinger William Munny, guilt-ridden Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan, over-the-hill astronaut Frank Corvin, and now the physically fragile but mentally sharp FBI profiler Terry McCaleb. These role choices make it apparent that the 73-year-old actor is not about to turn tail or act like a kid during his twilight years.

While films like Unforgiven, In the Line of Fire, and Space Cowboys have showcased Eastwood as an older but basically healthy leading man, Blood Work has gone one step further by giving the immortal star a heart condition -- thereby creating a physically handicapped character who has to rely on his wits to keep himself out of harm’s way. I think it’s a brilliant move -- albeit one with which many die-hard Eastwood fans may have problems. McCaleb is not Dirty Harry. He’s the tough cop’s polar opposite.

Blood Work is not a fast-paced police drama, but a police procedural, its story propelled by the process of following hunches and finding clues. McCaleb is searching for the killer of a woman whose heart saved his life. He feels indebted to her for the second chance her tragic death has given to him. There is very little gunplay and a lot of exposition. This is a film where acting matters more than mind-numbing special effects. Yet, except for a villain who is a little too easy to spot, the story has enough original ideas and surprises to keep one interested.

The DVD is an example of skillful production. The image is beautiful, with rich and clean colors throughout. There are no attempts to conceal Eastwood’s age with optical tricks. The star doesn’t even try to hide his sagging stomach during the final act. Audio is equally impressive for a story that is largely driven by dialogue. The sound mix highlights the ambiance of settings by offering subtly mixed incidental sounds such as wind and echo. No doubt, first-class audio and video transfers add to the enjoyment of this film.

The extras are weak. Only obligatory cast bios and two short documentaries are offered. While I enjoy watching Eastwood talk about his reasons for taking the role and his approach to filmmaking, 17 minutes is simply not enough time to cover those topics adequately. A "Conversation in Spanish" with the primary actors and Eastwood is lame, considering Eastwood barely speaks a word of Spanish.

I’ve been a fan of Clint Eastwood since he played in Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns. He is an actor who embodies charisma and onscreen presence -- a legend who has only solidified his edge through his willingness to stare mortality straight in the face and embrace it.

• Go Back