Abigail
Breslin plays Hannah, a teenage girl trapped in a corrupt Southern underworld
of violence, guns, drugs and biker gangs. Constantly at odds with her older
sister, Amber (Alexa Vega), Hannah finds her only refuge in chess, which she
uses it as an analogy she applies to life and plays with her drug-addicted
Uncle Donny (Lew Temple). All three live in fear of “Uncle Frank” (Sean Bean)
Stinson, a criminal kingpin, who runs the family business with an iron fist,
aided by his brain-damaged and psychotic brother Bobby (Jake Busey). But when
Amber falls in love with Bill Owens (James Purefoy), an outlaw biker, meth
trafficker and Stinson family rival, Hannah devises a plan to pit one against
the other in a cunning game of revenge.
The entire
flick has a very Sopranos feel to it, but with a back woods flare. You’d be
more likely to believe they were dealing in raccoon pellets than “hillbilly
crack” aka meth given the landscape and the incredibly small cast. The number
of extras are few and far between making the town seem even more back woods.
But what Wicked Blood lacks in story, it more than makes up
with performances. With Breslin there’s no overacting, there’s a coolness
that’s exuded and far beyond her years that really carries the movie and keeps
the interest. Vega really embodies the small town girl wanting to break out.
Temple as the addict and former chess champion Donny is just as entrancing.
Bean is well, he’s Bean and he’s perfection. When he and Busey get on camera
they make the best of what they have. Purefoy struggles a bit in the beginning
with stiffness, but finds his feet before the end to turn in a solid
performance.
The video conversion is nothing to complain about. The blu
ray is crisp. The audio is clear.
Extras: The
only bonus features are separate interviews with Breslin, Bean, Purefoy, and
Vega.
Bottom line:
Despite a clichéd plot and slightly unbelievable story elements, Wicked Blood excels because of some
powerhouse performances.
Wicked Blood hits DVD March 4th.
