Blood Ties

This 1970s-set crime thriller is a tale of two brothers on opposite sides of the law. Set in Brooklyn, it hinges on the fateful return of Chris (Clive Owen), a career criminal who is released from prison after serving a nine-year stretch. Attempting to go straight, Chris moves in with his younger brother Frank (Billy Crudup), a law-abiding cop, but before long he returns to his old ways. There are no prizes for guessing how Chris's story plays out. As much a family drama as a crime thriller, Blood Ties is character-driven, so sparing in terms of action, although the regular eruptions of violence pack a genuine punch. Owen possesses enough presence and unpredictability to remain interesting, and though a few players are under-served, the ensemble cast is generally excellent, with stand-out turns provided by Marion Cotillard as Chris's drug-addled ex-wife and James Caan as the boys' ailing father.