One of the worst things to happen to certain actors is to rise to stardom only to be ignored by the system. These are actors whose creativity and abilities more often than not outshine the material they are provided. And yet for whatever reason the film studios abandon them in spite of what they can bring to a movie or the accolades they achieve. One of those actors is Tom Berenger.
Berenger shone in smaller roles in films like DOGS OF WAR,
THE BIG CHILL and EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS. He got a major break as Sgt. Barnes
in PLATOON. Leading roles followed in SHOOT TO KILL and MAJOR LEAGUE. Just like
that he suddenly began starring in lower budgeted films, often the lead but
almost always straight to video movies. With each film though he provided a
fantastic performance. To this day he does the same in spite of being 71 years
old.
Released this week is a movie that never made it to the big screen, perhaps because of the pandemic but more likely because it was headed straight to disc. BLOOD AND MONEY features Berenger in the lead role as Jim Reed, a retired veteran living out of his homemade RV of sorts now hunting in the frozen woods of Maine. There is something troubling about Reed that we aren’t aware of yet but it plays out in his moods and his actions, the looks on his face when he thinks.
The early part of the film moves at a slow pace but gives us
the opportunity to get to know the character of Reed. A vet from the Vietnam
era he’s troubled. He takes a shine to a waitress who treats him kindly at the
nearby diner letting her know she reminds him of his daughter. He meets a
fellow veteran named George at a local AA meeting. His troubled past isn’t yet
revealed but his desire for alcohol and his refusal to give in plays some part.
In the woods looking for his buck he fires and discovers that he’s shot a person by mistake. When he gets to the victim it turns out to be a young woman who dies in front of him telling him he’s so dead. Afraid of going to prison and assuming he will be arrested for manslaughter he returns to town. While sitting in a bar he looks up at the TV and recognizes the young woman. She was part of a gang that robbed a nearby casino.
Remembering that he left a pack of cigarettes near the body
he returns and this time discovers a bag filled with the cash that was stolen.
As he heads out with the cash he hears arguing and discovers the rest of the
gang have shown up determined to find the cash. Hiding in the woods he comes
across George. Sadly this character isn’t long on the scene.
The rest of the movie pits Reed against the four villains determined to get the money at all costs. Running for his RV/truck he finds it set afire and now must face down the group. He hides the money in a nearby cave he’s familiar with and goes back to find them crew. Drawing first blood he takes one out after the man threatens to kill his family having found the information in the truck. Now he has no option but to take out the rest.
As I said the movie is a bit slow at times and predictable
at others. That doesn’t mean it can’t be an enjoyable ride anyway. But this is
not a big time roller coaster ride, it’s more of that in between rollercoaster
that kids can enjoy and the less thrill seeking adults aren’t afraid to go on.
The movie provides a nice distraction without being a film you’ll likely seek
out for a return visit.
Through it all though Berenger rises above the material like he always does. The odds are against him landing another major role like some of those he’s had in the past. It doesn’t matter. Any film that has him as a major part of it is worth watching. Just like this one.
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