The new Clive Owen vehicle, Blood Ties, looks to pick up where Pride and Glory and We Own the Night left off. Essentially, this crime drama is set to follow the lives of two brothers on opposite sides of the law; one being a cop, and the other a former mobster who was recently released from prison, on top of several disparate individuals whose lives are all seemingly interconnected to the New York City underworld in the 1970s.
The film is a remake of the French language film Les Liens du Sang (Rivals), but whether it is a shot-by-shot remake remains to be seen. However, in an interesting twist, the star of the original is the writer and director of this English speaking update.
At the very least, the movie seems to showcase a very different Clive Owen than we are used to. The permanently debonair actor takes on a far more humble appearance and absorbs the role of a down on his luck former mobster. The flick also stars Mila Kunis, Marion Cotillard, Zoe Saldana, Lilli Taylor, James Caan and Billy Crudup. I realize most guys were probably sold by Zoe Saldana and Mila Kunis, but the movie will hopefully be more than an eye candy feast for those of us possessing testosterone.
Early reviews for Blood Ties have been fair to mixed. Most critics have taken note of the excellent cast; however, it seems to suffer a bit from too many intermingling storylines. Of course, it is too early to tell whether the critics are right, or whether audiences will fall for the ultra moody melodrama.
Guillaume Canet’s English-speaking film debut is set to open up in France on October 30th, but no release date has been set for North America.
Check out the Blood Ties trailer below and let us know what you think in the comments below.