This crime drama gets too familiar too fast even if the setting and characters are reasonably original. Blood and Money takes the formula of “what would you do” if you came across a bag of cash from a bank robbery and no one was looking? It’s a premise that works well on paper, but in this case the timeline works against the character’s whereabouts and the consequences are expected and predictable.
In the backwoods area of the state of Maine lies the vast frozen area called Allagash. Perfect for hunters and those that like being out of touch with the rest of the world, its home to Jim Reed (Tom Berenger) a retired military veteran. Being a recovering alcoholic, he ok with the fact that he’s a bit off the beaten path the nearest bar, but he may be needing it after what he’s about to face.
CREDIT: Screen Media
Today his objective is to get his one deer that’s allotted and cart it back to his cabin. Screwing up on his first try by killing an illegal Doe, he’s back out in the woods after passing it off to a friend that has a license to kill the female. As he turns a bend he spies what he thinks is a Buck and shoots. When he goes to the spot looking for the deer he finds the body of woman.
The next day after hearing about a robbery, he goes back to the scene and finds a bag full of money. Thus begins a story of a hunter being the hunted by a four very upset robbers Ray (Mark Silversten), Bill (Paul Ben Victor), Skip (Brian Duffy) and Jason (Ray Homchick). First time full feature director and co-writer John Barr does a ok job of putting his story together following the initial scenario. While the script may have some merit, it’s more of the same old right place at the wrong time. Barr’s timeline is weak and the action scenes lack plausibility and devoid of surprise.
CREDIT: Screen Media
The acting’s not much to write about, but the cinematography by John Barr of the snow covered Allagash is very clear, focused and hypnotic. It’s the perfect location for the story and Barr gives his audience a magnificent vista of the beauty to go along with his thriller. It’s also an easy place for Jim Reed to disappear when he has to avoid being hunted down like the deer he usually has in his rifle scope. For this, the movie does have enough visual entertainment for action fans who have never been up to their waste in snow.
Blood and Money has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains violence, gore, and language.
FINAL ANALYSIS: It’s just an ok first time directing piece. (2.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Tom Berenger, Kristen Hager, Mark Silversten, Paul Ben Victor
Directed and co-written by: John Barr
Genre: Crime
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains violence, gore, language
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Opening Date: May 15, 2020
Distributed by: Screen Media
Released in: in Theaters and VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
