Blood Tiesis a 2013crimethriller filmdirected byGuillaume Canetand starringClive Owen,Billy Crudup,Marion Cotillard,Mila KunisandMatthias Schoenaerts.It is a remake of the 2008 French thriller filmLes liens du sangbyJacques Maillot,an adaptation of the French novelDeux frères: flic & truandby Bruno and Michel Papet. The screenplay was written by Canet andJames Gray.The film was selected to be screened out of competition at the2013 Cannes Film Festival.[7]The film is a co-production between France and the United States. It was released in France byMars Distributionon October 30, 2013, and byRoadside Attractionsin the United States on March 21, 2014.
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| Directed by | Guillaume Canet |
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| Cinematography | Christophe Offenstein |
| Edited by | Hervé de Luze |
| Music by | Raphaël Hamburger |
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| Language | English[2] |
| Budget | $25 million[5] |
| Box office | $2.5 million[6] |
Plot
editIn 1974, Chris Pierzynski is furloughed from prison after serving twelve years for murdering a rapist and killer he caught in the act, and moves in with his brother Frank, who is a New York Police detective. Chris reconnects with his ex-wife Monica, who has become a drug-addicted prostitute. They have a son and a daughter. Their sister Marie, and their sick father Leon, want Chris and Frank to just get along with each other.
When arresting Anthony Scarfo at his house, Frank happens to see his ex-girlfriend Vanessa. Though Vanessa cares for Anthony and bears his child, Frank and Vanessa get back together, infuriating Anthony, who is by then incarcerated.
Chris tries to go straight but faces setbacks. He wants money, in part to take care of his new girlfriend Natalie, the office manager at the garage at which he works, so falls back into crime. Frank is forced to cover for him and kicks him out. The two fistfight, with Chris prevailing and ominously saying "I may see you on Friday" when he leaves.
That Friday, Frank and fellow officers are at the scene of a horrific armored car robbery and multiple murders. Chris is involved and Frank is conflicted, shooting his brother in the shoulder but letting him escape, then resigning from the police department.
Chris begins to build a small criminal empire. After Anthony is released from police custody, his first act is to seek revenge against Frank for destroying his home life. Chris uncovers the plot and must decide between saving his own skin and stopping Anthony in his tracks.
Cast
edit- Clive Owenas Chris Pierzynski
- Billy Crudupas Detective Frank Pierzynski
- Marion Cotillardas Monica D'Amato
- Mila Kunisas Natalie
- Zoe Saldanaas Vanessa
- Matthias Schoenaertsas Anthony Scarfo
- James Caanas Leon Pierzynski
- Noah Emmerichas Lieutenant Connellan
- Lili Tayloras Marie Pierzynski
- Mark Mahoneyas Mr. Ruby
- Charlie Tahanas Michael Pierzynski
- Domenick Lombardozzias Mike
- Mark Mahoneyas Louis
- Jamie Hectoras Detective Nick
- John Ventimigliaas Detective Valenti
- Griffin Dunneas McNally
- Eve Hewsonas Yvonne
- Daisy Tahanas Robin Pierzynski
- Olek Krupaas Tommy
- Yul Vazquezas Fabio De Soto
Production
editThe film is a co-production between France and the United States.[1]It was produced by the French companies Les Productions du Trésor, LGM Cinéma,Chi-Fou-Mi Productions,France 2 Cinéma,Caneo Films,Mars Films,andWild Bunch Internationalalong with the American companiesWorldview Entertainmentand Le Grisbi Productions.[1][2]
Filming started on May 3, 2012, in Woodmere, New York.[8]The first pictures of the set surfaced on May 12, 2012.[9][10]Lionsgate UKacquired the UK rights.[11]
Casting
editOn March 15, 2012, it was announced thatClive OwenandBilly Crudupwould star inBlood Ties,playing two brothers withMila KunisandZoe Saldanaas love interests andMarion Cotillardas an ex-lover.[12]Austin Williamsplayed a younger version of Owen's character.[13]
Release
edit
Blood Tiesscreened out of competition at the2013 Cannes Film Festival.[14]It was released in France on October 30, 2013.[15]A trimmed version, running 127 minutes, was released in the United States on March 21, 2014.[16]
Home media
editThe 127-minute version was released on DVD in June 2014.[17]
Reception
editBox office
editIn the United States, it was released byRoadside Attractionsand made $42,472 over two weekends in limited release.[18]In France, it had only 238,823 entries, although it was screened in more than 400 theaters in the country.[18][6]Blood Tiesgrossed $2.5 million worldwide.[6]
Critical response
editBlood Tiesreceived mixed reviews. On review aggregate websiteRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rate of 53%, based on 55 reviews, with an average score of 5.60/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Blood Tiesboasts a fine cast and palpable period detail, but ultimately fails to do much of anything new with its formulaic story. "[19]Metacriticgave the film a rating of 45/100 (indicating "mixed or average" ), based on reviews from 16 critics.[20]
Todd McCarthy ofThe Hollywood Reportercriticized the film, saying: "The impressive cast makes this French-financed New York 1974-set production watchable, but it's too inert to catch on with critics or audiences."[21]Xan Brooks ofThe Guardiangave the film 3 out of 5 stars.[22]Matt Barone ofComplexgave the film 3 out of 10 stars.[23]Fionnuala Halligan ofScreen Internationalcalled it "HeatmeetsMesrineviaCain and Abel".[24]Ryland Aldrich ofTwitch Filmpraised the production. "From the wonderfully decorated exteriors loaded with the cars of the era to the record players spinning classic hits, 1970s New York absolutely comes alive," he said.[25]
References
edit- ^abcd"Blood Ties de Guillaume Canet (2013)".Unifrance.
- ^abcd"Blood Ties (2014)".AFI Catalog of Feature Films.RetrievedApril 11,2021.
- ^"Blood Ties".Cineuropa.RetrievedJuly 27,2022.
- ^Das, Abhimanyu (March 20, 2014)."Blood Ties".Slant Magazine.
- ^Keslassy, Elsa (January 9, 2014)."French Specialty Players: Lost in Translation?".Variety.
- ^abc"Blood Ties (2014)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"2013 Official Selection".Cannes.April 21, 2013.RetrievedApril 21,2013.
- ^"First NYC filming location for 'Blood Ties', starring Mila Kunis and Zoe Saldana".On Location Vacations.May 3, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2013.RetrievedMay 25,2012.
- ^Merriam, Allie (May 12, 2012)."Mila Kunis and Clive Owen Kiss For the Cameras".PopSugar.RetrievedMay 25,2012.
- ^"Clive Owen and Mila Kunis in BLOOD TIES Set Photos".Film Filia.May 16, 2012.RetrievedMay 25,2012.
- ^Tartaglione, Nancy (May 17, 2012)."Lionsgate U.K. Snaps Up Guillaume Canet's Starry 'Blood Ties': Cannes".Deadline Hollywood.Archived fromthe originalon December 25, 2013.RetrievedMay 25,2012.
- ^Kit, Borys (March 15, 2012)."Clive Owen, Billy Crudup to Star in Crime Thriller 'Blood Ties' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMay 25,2012.
- ^Kilday, Gregg (May 8, 2012)."Austin Williams Cast in Guillaume Canet's Crime Thriller 'Blood Ties'".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMay 25,2012.
- ^Foundas, Scott (May 20, 2013)."Cannes Film Review: 'Blood Ties'".Variety.
- ^Lemercier, Fabien (October 30, 2013)."Blood Ties:Guillaume Canet is an American gold digger ".Cineuropa.RetrievedJuly 27,2022.
- ^Gilroy, Amanda (March 21, 2014)."'Blood Ties' Tries to Recreate the Mean Streets of '70s Brooklyn ".PopMatters.
- ^Howell, Peter (June 19, 2014)."DVD reviews: Enemy and Blood Ties".Toronto Star.
- ^abJP."Blood Ties (2013)- JPBox-Office".jpbox-office.
- ^"Blood Ties".Rotten Tomatoes.Flixster.March 21, 2014.RetrievedApril 1,2024.
- ^"Blood Ties Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedMarch 12,2014.
- ^McCarthy, Todd (May 19, 2013)."Blood Ties: Cannes Review".The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^Brooks, Xan (May 19, 2013)."Cannes 2013: Blood Ties - first look review".The Guardian.
- ^Barone, Matt (September 6, 2013)."TIFF Review: Only Mila Kunis' Bad Brooklyn Accent Saves" Blood Ties "From Complete Dismissal".Complex.
- ^Halligan, Fionnuala (May 20, 2013)."Blood Ties - Reviews - Screen".Screen International.
- ^Aldrich, Ryland (March 20, 2014)."Review: BLOOD TIES Knots Up 1970s New York".Twitch Film.Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2014.RetrievedJuly 22,2014.
