Father Knows Best

The film Blood Father is an interesting take on a dad protecting his daughter in her time of need. Blood Father is a taught, well acted, funny, ironic, somewhat bloody, and nicely paced thriller that takes 88 minutes start to finish.

Blood Father does not feel particularly original, but it also does not feel lamely derivative.  Why?  Blood Father is straight-shooter (literally) created by professionals who chose to make an independent feature.  Blood Father is written by Peter Craig (The Hunger Games Mockingjay 1&2, The Town) and Andrea Berloff (World Trade Center, Straight Outta Compton) and directed by Jean-Fancois Richet (Assault on Precinct 13, Mesrine).  They know how to make films of this genre and send you home feeling you easily got your money’s worth.

Blood Father stars Mel Gibson (Mad Max, The Bounty, Forever Young, Lethal Weapon), Erin Moriarty (The Kings of Summer, True Detective, Captain Fantastic) and William H. Macy (The Cooler, Shameless).

Given Gibson’s off screen issues (the list is long and offends many) and his relationship with the Hollywood establishment (the list is equally as long and offends as many) Gibson could be characterized as persona non grata when it comes to major production releases.  So Blood Father is not a major Hollywood film.  However, this does not mean Gibson is no longer a capable actor (or Producer for that matter).  Quite to the contrary, Gibson is superb in Blood Father.  Link is an ex-convict, recovering alcoholic, living on the very edge of the grid of society who is estranged from his daughter and is simply trying to lay low and get to the next day on earth without incident.  This role is square in Gibson’s wheel-house.  Gibson as Link is clearly a character, but does not play the role as a chariacture.  Moriarty as Link’s daughter Lydia is highly convincing.  The script and Moriarty’s performance afford you the opportunity to completely dislike, give a second chance and then cheer for Lydia – all with good reason.  Gibson is often even better (in his role) when he has a partner as a sometime foil.  Blood Father and Moriarty fit the bill.

Jeff’s Worthless Trivia

Because Blood Father is not a Major Hollywood release the Producers also made a deal with DirectTV/OnDemand to be purchased during its theatrical release.

Gibson narrates Blood Father in similar style as Payback (1999).

The Gibson produced Get The Gringo (2012) was one of my favorites of the year.

Forever Young is the highly watchable film co-starring Jamie – Lee Curtis, directed by Steve Miner, and written by JJ Abrams that showcases the other type of character Gibson plays to perfection – happy-go-lucky.