Blood Ties

Blood Ties: directed by Guillaume Canet, written by Guillaume Canet, and James Grey.

  Starring: Clive Owen (Chris), Billy Crudup (Frank), Marion Cotillard (Monica),  Milla Kunis (Natalie), Zoe Saldana (Venessa), James Caan (Leon), Noah Emmerich (Lieutenant Connellan), Lili Taylor (Marie ), Dominc Lombardozzi (Mike), John Ventimiglia (Valenti), and Griffen Dunne ( McNally).

 The story about two brothers, one in law enforcement, the other living a life of crime.

  Chris (Clive Owen) is out if prison, his brother Frank (Billy Crudup) is there to pick him up. Sister, Lili Taylor (Marie) is also present. dysfunctional families collide.  Chris (Clive Owen) a criminal living with his cop brother, Frank (Billiy Crudup).  leon (james Caan) is hospitalized, Frank, Chris, and younger sister Marie go to see "Pops", Leon (Caan).  

  Frank (Crudup) puts his brother to work with a friend, earns some money but can start fresh in order to live a better life.  Chris (Owen) once again is given a gig that could earn him some capital.  The gig is simple, Mike (Lombardozzi) would be the driver, and they would hit a bar, killing everyone in it.  The plan went smooth, no interruptions from law enforcement or observer.  Chris (Owen) had made good with the fixer, Valenti (John Ventimiglia).  

  The emotional love connections here are really good, but have to follow the path to where it leads, a big mess.  starting with Vanessa (Zoe Saldana) and Frank (Billy Crudup). Scrafo (Matthias Schoenaerts) was sent to prison for unregistered firearms, nothing else on the thug. Vanessa (Saldana) has a secret relationship with Frank (Crudup), they have been on and off behind Scarfo, now with him in prison, finally frank could be with Vanessa (Saldana) for good.  

  Chris (Owen) and Natalie (Mila Kunis) a cashier that comes up 40 dollars short, her job is at stake, Chris (Owen) takes care of the problem by giving her the money.  That sparks a relationship, from going out to a bar to asking her to be his wife.  

  Monica (Marion Cotillard), a women selling her body in the streets to earn money, Chris (Owen) coming back in her life has brought mixed feelings about there relationship.  two kids, very little money, sleek odds, this women will stop at nothing to get what she wants.  suffering from addiction, Chris (Owen) offers her a chance to make money without selling her body.  The girls on the streets are interviewed, no drugs, being clean and making money is the option. The Bordello operation will make do, the only rule is 3000.00 must be earned and no drugs.  The relationship is business, in a criminal way.  

  The Film's destructive relationships is what i believe makes this movie a gem.  The armored truck scenes are done well, not over the top, which isn't the point of the film.  A life of crime and a lawman, intertwined with money, life's problems.  Frank and Chris are not the same but in the end all Chris ever wanted is for his brother to love him.  The strange thing about this film is the way everything came to a close. Brothers from different backgrounds have spent nine years apart, one in prison, the other becoming a cop.  A father who just desires to have both sons together, but conflict, hate, has broken these two brothers. The inner deep feelings, and what is the right thing to do comes out in this film. Frank (Billy Crudup) is career is put on the line when Lieutenant Connellan (Noah Emmerich) approaches him with the situations, and living arrangements with his brother Chris (Owen).  The truck has been hit, and Frank has to make a choice between spilling the beans on his brother or losing his job as a cop. 

  The sequence between brothers many years ago at a young age was amazing, because it really brought the characters to a realistic place.  Decisions are made and young Frank ends up hiding in the bushes while Chris and the other kids are rounded up for breaking in a house.  The only thing the young version of Frank had to do is watch, and three knocks at the door.  

  Flash-forward to the present in 1974 and we have Chris again in the target of law enforcement, the angle is, and its done when Frank calls Chris to warn him of the law.  Three knocks! wow! what a scene, its a reminder that yes you've done horrible things in your past, but brothers, family, and to do what is right. Both brothers did right to help each other that in some ways are viewed wrong to others.  This film brings up so many deep issues, that make this film a hit.  Most 

  Films today are about action, special effects, very little plot.  Blood Ties changes all that, slow in movement but if that's the only issue, and it brings us a stellar story that comes together in the end, i will, hands down take it.  Go see it, rent it, buy it.  This film is a five star film in every way, from the acting, to the writing to the director.