Not wanting to drive since the transplant, he gets neighboring boat bum, Buddy Noone (Jeff Daniels) to play chauffeur for him. He talks to the police detectives (Paul Rodriguez and Dylan Walsh), who are not exactly the most helpful of folks, and goes to the crime scene. He proceeds with the investigation although most of those around him encourage him not to; he is not in any shape to be doing an in depth murder investigation. McCaleb soldiers on, looking up evidence, seeing things in ways the detectives don't.
At one point McCaleb says that the case is likely to hinge on a small piece of evidence that most feel is unimportant. It is a telling line that puts the whole thriller aspect of the movie in perspective. Unfortunately, this is not a movie that will let those small details go unnoticed. Lingering shots, repeated flashes, and other techniques draw attention to the so-called small details. It goes a long way to taking the mystery out of things.
Blood Work is a straight forward, workmanlike thriller that feels padded out. It is not a bad watch, but in the end, it all feels like it has been done before and done better. I was willing to go with the plot for most of the film, but as the ending approached, it began to feel even more run of the mill.
Fortunately, it is not all a loss. The way Clint Eastwood approaches the character is fantastic. The man just has so much going on in his face and behind the eyes. He brings a real humanity to the role and makes it very easy to believe in him. He never forgets his age or that he has someone else's heart. I suspect this is what attracted him to the role, the idea of playing age appropriate and not a superhero. It is this that makes the movie as interesting as it is. For this movie to work, it is all about buying into McCaleb, not so much the actual plot but the character.
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