Erin Moriarty and Mel Gibson in “Blood Father”
Admitting his failures and turning over a new leaf, John Link, Mel Gibson’s character in the action film, “Blood Father,” fits the actor like a glove—once an alcoholic and a former convict, he’s set his mind to redeeming himself.
It’s a role that may remind viewers and ex-fans of the actor’s troubled years, marked by anger issues and bitter feuds.
Gibson imbues John, a now-sober tattoo artist, with a sympathetic aura. He gets a chance to make up for past mistakes when his estranged teen daughter, Lydia (Erin Moriarty), asks for his help.
Lydia, a drug-dazed runaway, has gotten involved with the wrong people—dealers and killers—but flees them after she goes against their leader, her boyfriend Jonah (Diego Luna). The reunion between dad and daughter isn’t ideal, but John risks his parole status to get his daughter to safety.
The film by Jean-Francois Richet, adapted for the screen by the author of the book, Peter Craig, gives Gibson opportunities to flesh out a complicated—if clichéd—character.
It succeeds in giving him a less-than-savory background, but the daddy-daughter bonding feels the most natural part, Moriarty’s initial missteps notwithstanding.
Gibson plays dad to Moriarty’s rebellious junkie.
As an action film, “Blood Father” is quite typical. Fleeing from a variety of two-dimensional pursuers, including a Terminator-esque sicario, gang members of different affiliations, and the police, the reunited relatives get into a number of stock action situations, from brazen gunfights to motorcycle chases.
It’s nothing earthshaking, but Gibson successfully revisits the action genre, fitting snugly into the wizened but hesitant hero role—scraggly beard, wrinkles and all.