Bloodtype Online

      From the moment Ethan notices the dark blue SUV, he is thirsty for answers. While at first shaken and confused, he eventually becomes obsessed with finding what he believes to be an “animal”. Ethan , Grace and their daughter Emma’s life will never be the same. Their choices are to adjust and hope the state police will do their part in making sure that Josh’s killer gets the punishment he deserves. 

      What is enjoyable about the movie is the point of view of the heartbroken family and the guilty man that has to live with the crime he committed while trying to build a better relationship with his son. The film could have been a simple story about a scumbag driver intoxicated on liquor and meth. Instead the story showed given the circumstances, human beings can panic. The character of Dwight was already under a lot of stress and the sudden wreck into a young boy was quite the shock to him. As soon as he saw that his own son was alright, he drove off. Now his son was sleeping so once he got in the wreck and his son woke up asking what was wrong, he just replied that he hit a log. 

      The first 10 minutes of this film was really depressing but the film never lost me. Even when Ethan goes to Dwight for counsel, I still maintained my interests. Did I mention that Dwight’s ex-wife Ruth was Ethan’s daughter’s music teacher. Coincidence plays a heavy part in this drama but its still good drama. 

      The wreck really screwed up Ethan and Grace’s relationship as they couldn’t live in peace until the perpetrator was found. Grace eventually wanted to find solace by getting back into her family routine. With Ethan being upset with the cops progress in finding the person responsible his son’s death, keeping a healthy relationship isn’t that simple. 

      The film is very complicated and I don’t mean it’s a tough film to figure out. The character Dwight seems like he wants to get away with what he did but at the same time he is ripped apart. He comes face to face with Ethan a number of times before Ethan ever has a clue that he’s the guy. Dwight hides his 98 Ford Explorer and then takes a taxi to work. Eventually he rents a car to avoid suspicion.  The more Dwight tries to ignore his wrongdoings the closer he comes to turning himself in. 

      Basically the story starts off very sad but the tension is always there. It’s amazing to see a film make an empathetic character out of someone responsible for a hit and run. It was even harder to feel for the guy when seeing how torn up and vengeful Ethan has become.  

      Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly have plenty of emotional scenes together while Mark Ruffalo wears his guilt and regret on his face during most of his scenes. In one particular scene his kid Luke mentions that he fought a schoolmate for not being honorable. His school mate threw something at a teacher whose back was turned. When the teacher asked who did it the kid didn’t fess up so Luke fought his after class. Luke mentions that the kid should have taken responsibility. The scene really showed Mark Ruffalo’s acting chops and Eddie Alderson’s also. They really seemed like a father and son trying to keep a positive and loving relationship.  

      The film was a wonderful showcase for actors while the connections the characters had beside the hit and run were a little too much. This film has elements of the revenge film and it’s a truly smart morality tale that isn’t self righteous at all. A lot of point of views are explored and all the characters come full circle. The ending is gut wrenching but it’s not packaged pretty either. The tension is subtle but constant and each scene offered something interesting. Phoenix’s character eventually did his own detective work. His determination and the accidental murderer of his son eventually come face to face unusually fresh drama that offers the viewer a question.  How do you feel about Dwight’s actions? If you still think he was absolutely wrong, ask yourself this? Can you understand why someone might drive off and try to run from what he did? He was a great character to watch because as a viewer I always sensed he would do the right thing.

*** 

-Russ Rutter