Blood Father (2016)

An ex-con reunites with his estranged wayward 17-year old daughter to protect her from drug dealers who are trying to kill her.

Director:

Jean-François Richet

Writers:

Peter Craig (screenplay by), Andrea Berloff (screenplay by)

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Link
Erin Moriarty	...	Lydia
Diego Luna	...	Jonah
Michael Parks	...	Preacher
William H. Macy	...	Kirby
Miguel Sandoval	...	Arturo Rios
Dale Dickey	...	Cherise
Richard Cabral	...	Joker
Daniel Moncada	...	Choop
Ryan Dorsey	...	Shamrock
Raoul Max Trujillo	...	The Cleaner (as Raoul Trujillo)
Brandi Cochran	...	Lydia's Mother
Katalina Parrish	...	Link's Client
Cameron Cipta	...	Freckles
Lucien Dale	...	Blonde Boy

Storyline

Self-exiled somewhere in the dusty landscapes on the outskirts of Los Angeles, John Link--a rugged former convict, and now, a tattoo artist struggling to stay sober--sees his quasi-orderly life turn upside down, when he receives a desperate phone call from his estranged daughter, Lydia. On the run from a ruthless Mexican drug cartel, John and Lydia must navigate through a dangerous world of frail allegiances and merciless cut-throats, as they seek shelter in an inhospitable city. Can the grizzled father save his teenage daughter from this nightmare?

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | father daughter relationship | on the run | religious faith | religious belief | 

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Taglines:

A Father Makes His Own Justice

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language throughout and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

France

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

26 August 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sangre de mi sangre

Filming Locations:

New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Why Not Productions, Wild Bunch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lydia comments in a scene that Link is like a cyborg because of his past injuries. Mel Gibson reportedly turned down the title role and also the role of Kyle Reese in The Terminator. James Cameron, the director of The Terminator, stated Mad Max 2 to be a huge influence on the Terminator (probably because it makes a bold statement about the world, alongside films like Blade Runner, Demolition Man, Escape From New York etc.).

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Goofs

When Lydia tries to buy cigarettes at what appears to be a Walmart she is denied because she has no ID. State and federal law requires her to be 18 to purchase tobacco, and rifle or shotgun ammunition, and 21 to purchase ammunition that you identify to be destined for a pistol. The cashier allowing her to buy 9mm ammunition, having to believe that she is at least 18 years old (some rifles are chambered in 9mm, so she could purchase it), but not allowing her to buy cigarettes, is ridiculous.

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Quotes

Link: You may not wanna wake up tomorrow,
Link: but the day after that might just be great.
Link: Might be the best fucking day of your life, you know?

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Connections

References What Women Want (2000)

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Soundtracks

Direct From the Street
Performed by White & Spirit
Composed by Mike Kourtzer
(p) 2015 Cercle Rouge Productions
(c) Mike Kourtzer, all right reserved

User Reviews

Fans of the gritty, rougher Gibson should love this.

Jean-François Richet, French director of the highly acclaimed Mesrine bring to life the titular novel by Peter Craig, who also wrote the screenplays for both Mockingjays and Affleck's The Town. A story about an estranged daughter who's being hunted by the worse kinds has no choice but seek out her father, John Link who happens to be an ex-worse kind himself.

She's a runaway, mixes with the wrong crowd, the dangerous kind and ends up on the run. Link, her father, is an ex-con, recovering alcoholic and is her only hope and possibly she's his only chance of having any paternal responsibility. It's similar to Run All Night where a father will do whatever is absolutely necessary to keep their children alive.

I hope I look as good as Mel Gibson when I'm his age, looking awesome and comfortable with that worn, rugged, tough look still emanating to be a force to be reckoned with. John Link is like an amalgamation of many of Gibson's past characters bearing unintentional similarities to Lethal Weapon's Riggs, Payback's Porter, the gringo and even a little of Mad Max. One thing all these characters share is that Gibson psychotic rage and the controlled calmness he does when the sh*t is hitting not just the fan but everything else.

Kudos to newcomer Erin Moriarty who superbly acts up against Gibson as his endangered, rebellious troubled teen. Having briefly seen her only last month in Captain Fantastic, it's impressive to see her take on a role opposite Gibson. The volatile relationship between the two is captivating enforced by their quick-fire and sometimes amusing dialogue.

There's quite a supporting cast too with legendary Michael Parks, William H. Macy and the usual gang banger Richard Cabral. Parks is brilliant, having a presence of sinister grandeur and Raoul Max Trujillo stars as a Sicario which is a little ironic being that he also starred in last year's Sicario.

The violence is abrasive and abrupt but it's more dramatic with John Link battling and reconnecting with his old demons to secure the safety of his wanted daughter. There's nothing fancy, no spectacular sequences, but that gives the film a better sense of realism. There's a little of annoying shaky cam to begin with but that soon fades.

It's a riveting movie from start to finish and well paced. It's good to see Mel Gibson back on the big screen, and be on such good form too. Fans of the tougher, rougher Gibson shouldn't be disappointed.

Running Time: 9 The Cast: 8 Performance: 9 Direction: 8 Story: 8 Script: 8 Creativity: 8 Soundtrack: 7 Job Description: 8 The Extra Bonus Points: 5 for good ol' Gibson Would I buy the Bluray?: Yes.

78% 8/10