This is a story of family, crime, and the things people do for blood. It stars a whole lot of people: Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, James Caan, Lilly Taylor, and many more. This sprawling story begins when Clive gets out of prison and is met by his brother and sister (Crudup and Taylor). They go home to see Pop (Caan) and accidentally open some old wounds.
Clive tries to go straight but finds it impossible (otherwise no story here) so he drifts back into his criminal ways showing a willingness to do maximum violence. Crudup is a cop and suspects Clive all along and the title reflects what he will do (inadvertently)to protect him.
Cotillard is Clive's ex and she plays most of it without make up. I almost gasped-she is Cameron Diaz ugly. The things to those make up people can do. Mila Kunis fares far better.
Despite the sprawling cast all the characters are well drawn and both Owens and Crudup do fine jobs. Caan is pretty super also. You get the real sense of familial struggle as the movie comes to its predictable end.
I'll give it 2.5 outta .
Red Box
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Topic - 'Blood Ties': Grand Ensemble . . . - Billy Wonka 12:12:49 06/29/14 (11)
- How's it compare to another crime family saga, "The Animal Kingdom?' nt - tinear 14:24:12 06/29/14 (9)
- France vs. Australia....what's to say? - Billy Wonka 15:21:15 06/29/14 (8)
- I'll take grittier… nt - tinear 12:06:26 06/30/14 (7)
- Jackie Weaver got FOUR nominations . . . - Billy Wonka 17:07:56 06/30/14 (6)
- She deserved an Oscar, though evil, they say, is easier to play than good. nt - tinear 19:18:07 06/30/14 (5)
- Thnx boys, we watched and really enjoyed Animal Kingdom tonight^ - Road Warrior 21:15:11 07/01/14 (4)
- I think you'd like Rover while just about guaranteeing your better half would not. nt - tinear 13:42:10 07/03/14 (3)
- I'll slip off one morning about 11 to see it at the megaplex. Mrs. Nasty is a strange duck about movies and - Road Warrior 18:08:54 07/03/14 (2)
- dusty and dry but rewarding, I really liked it - PhilJ 08:20:10 07/04/14 (0)
- Thunderdome it is, w/out the humor and bright, cheery tone :-). nt - tinear 08:01:39 07/04/14 (0)
- Bonus Notes . . . - Billy Wonka 12:22:56 06/29/14 (0)