Blood Work
Dir: Clint Eastwood
2002
***
2002's Blood Work is Clint Eastwood being Clint Eastwood in a Clint Eastwood film. It's pretty run of the mill stuff, I do like Mr Eastwood's work but unless he's wearing a stetson or is called Harry, I'm generally less interested. However, of all the thrillers he made between the 70's and 00's, and he has made some good ones, this is among my favorites. Michael Connelly is a great crime writer, and although this adaptation is very different to the book, I believe it improves on the overall story in many ways. Certain aspects of the book should have been kept though and many of the changes (particularly in character) seem to be there purely out of ego. The biggest problem with the film is that it is predictable. It's clear to see the killers motive within 5 minutes of the film (Clint takes 45 minutes to work it out) and the killer is obvious after about 20 minutes. There are certain aspects of crime thrillers that can stay hidden in novels that are just too obvious in film and this is where the film fails. It's a great story and entertaining throughout, it just lacks the mystery it deserves.