Blood Work (R, 2002)

common sense media says

Disappointing, predictable, and graphic.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film has some strong language as well as some graphic images (mostly on videotape) of people getting shot. There is also some offscreen sex, and the happening and recovery of the heart attack are well documented.

Violence: Several shootings, a heart attack.
Sex: Mild sexual situation
Language: Fairly strong language
Consumerism: Not applicable.

More on Blood Work

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether McCaleb felt the need to catch the killer because the murdered woman's heart saved his life or because he cared about the woman and her nephew.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In BLOOD WORK, Clint Eastwood stars as Terry McCaleb, a veteran FBI profiler. On the verge of capturing a taunting murderer, McCaleb suffers a heart attack and is forced into retirement. Two years later he is slowly recovering from a heart transplant when he is visited by the sister of the woman whose heart now beats in McCaleb's body. Her sister's murderer is still on the loose, and she wants McCaleb on the case. He reluctantly agrees and is soon finding clues, with a little help from his lazy fishing neighbor (Jeff Daniels). McCaleb disobeys doctor's warnings and dodges bumbling fellow officers to carry out his case, also becoming close to the woman (Wanda DeJesus) and her nephew (Mason Lucero).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The presence of a Hollywood icon as an actor and director cannot overcome Blood Work's predictable script. The trouble with this film is that the believable parts are unsurprising and the surprising parts are unbelievable. Eastwood's presence hasn't diminished one bit over the years and his storytelling skills still shine, and Daniels also does a very good job, but the movie is simply never too interesting to anyone who's seen this kind of film before, especially after they've been done so well in Manhunter and The Silence of the Lambs.

The film's climax is probably the most interesting part, but it's hard to believe that the McCaleb, who was so perceptive in the film's first half, wouldn't have figured out the killer and his/her motive much sooner, which seemed obvious to much of the audience.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Clint Eastwood, Jeff Daniels
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 115 minutes
Theatrical release: August 9, 2002
DVD release: December 27, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: violence, language, and brief sexual situations

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

Review It

 

Review Blood Work





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see Blood Work?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age