This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Blood Trap
Plot Overview
In her halcyon days Cheryl (Alexandra Paul)
was a good sport, a real looker, and a heartbreaker to the guys.
She fell for bad boy Kurt Bradford (Michael Riley) and married him
contrary to her family's wishes. When they had a “careless
accident,” Kurt wanted to get rid of “the mistake,”
but Cheryl named their kid after her mom Emily. When Kurt became volatile
in the home, Cheryl fearing for her daughter's safety skulked off
in the night. They got divorced while Kurt sans alibi was in prison.
In the ensuing ten years, Cheryl has
come up in the world. While working as an office assistant she caught
the boss's eye and married her prince charming Gregory Wilton (Bruce
Boxleitner) who provides them an idyllic home. Emily (Annie Bovaird)
a champion gymnast unfortunately has a flareup of her childhood
leukemia that their doctor wants treated with a bone marrow
transplant … if a suitable donor can be found. They are
down to their last hope: low life Kurt.
Kurt now two years out of prison is
back to his “same old, same old” self (“Who did
you cross now, Kurt?”) He has a hot girlfriend Taylor (Sophie
Gendron), a “swanky little place in the city,” and a pending
debt to the mob, which he can't pay by their deadline. Ever the hustler
he sees deliverance in his ex's situation, but trying their best they
can't come up with the moolah.
Ideology
An obscure biblical character Agur while
not claiming to be any great one (Prov. 30:2-3) offers a chapter of advice
to his buddies (Prov. 30:1). Of fundamental
importance is his prayer, (Prov. 30:8-9) “Remove far from
me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with
food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who
is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my
God in vain.” Vanity and lies are what Kurt a grifter specializes
in. He hustles pool in which he wins by “skill and certainty.”
He loses at poker when the other guys “got lucky.” He
trafficks in stolen cars, B&E, and various scams having no security.
He might score big, but again he might get wiped out.
Greg's family is presented as an example of being fed “with
food convenient for me” (“They looked like they had
money.”) Emily has her favorite, pancakes, for breakfast.
For a snack there's granny's triple whammy chocolate thunder. When
hungry they can “call for the pizza guy.” For the adults
there's beer in the fridge. Emily's birthday party features a two-layer
cake to be cut ten ways. They're comfortable.
“Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD?” is illustrated by mob bagman Russo (Chuck Shamata.) He declines a diamond ring Kurt offered as security, because says he, “My wife has enough diamonds.” One can be so awash in wealth as to let honest tokens slip by, sparkly things or acknowledgements of the Lord.
“Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” A guy hurting for money can steal and swear by God he didn't take it. In Kurt's case he uttered the F–word just once when he stumbled upon the antsy mob's “message” laid out on the floor.
Production Values
“” (TV Movie 2004)
was directed by Douglas Jackson. It was written by Suzanne Dolan,
Mark Evan Schwartz and Ken Sanders. It stars Alexandra Paul, Michael
Riley and Bruce Boxleitner. Alexandra Paul gave a wonderful
performance as a pressed-upon mom. Michael Riley was a very intense
low life. Little Annie Bovaird was quite the charmer.
The film was certified
TV–14. It was shot in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. While not a major
studio production, it made the most of what it had. Acting was
serviceable, editing was proper, music was on key, runtime was
modest, and the script was credible.
Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation
Notwithstanding its subjects of divorce, mob violence, and mortal disease, this one managed to stay within the bounds of good taste. We hope till the end for a family-friendly resolution. It could fill the void for a low key drama.
Movie Ratings
Action Factor: Weak action scenes. Suitability for Children: Suitable for children 14+ years with guidance. Special effects: Average special effects. Video Occasion: Better than watching TV. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall movie rating: Three stars out of five.
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