BLOOD, GUTS, BULLETS AND OCTANE
Reviewed by Harvey Karten, Ph.D. Lions Gate Films Director: Joe Carnahan Writer: Joe Carnahan Cast: Joe Carnahan, Dan Leis, Ken Rululph, Dan Harlan, Hugh McChord, Kurt Johnson, Mark S. Allen, Kellee Benedict
The after-movie talk is likely to be not so much about the quality of "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane" but about how it got to be made at all. While some studios are vying for who can make the most expensive film, others compete for bargain-basement figures. Since this film, written and directed by Joe Carnahan, got into the can for $7300, it joins "El Mariachi" in a fight to make the Guinness Book for flourishing penury. Consider that Mel Gibson was paid $25 million for his role in "Lethal Weapon 4." Let's say he takes off after taxes with $15 million. Remember: that's for a couple of months' work! (It would take me, wow, three YEARS to earn that sort of bread.) If Mr. Gibson is not rushed into "Lethal Weapon 5" but decides instead to become a producer or director, how many "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane"'s could he make? Two thousand fifty-four. In every likelihood two thousand of them would be better than a "Lethal Weapon 5."
Put it another way. Joe Carnahan's movie at under eight large is actually superior to three of Gibson's police dramas. Its cast and crew were paid in Doritos and its star performer reliably comes through on a gallon or so of gas. A 1963 Pontiac LeMans is the center of attention, a vehicle which turns out to be worth more than Richard Quine's solid gold Cadillac. It's worth so much, in fact, that a guy is willing to pay two used-car dealers $250,000 just to give the LeMans a space for forty-eight hours. What gives this oversized convertible its value? You'll have to wait till the end for that, and you'll be glad you did. Carnahan's ultimate payoff is keenly realized, a remuneration explained in thorough, philosophic and sentimental terms by its most morally immoral character.
The indie film, considered by Village Voice critic Amy Taubin one of the two most captivating works to come out of the 19th Independent Feature Film Market, was shot in thirteen days, though its conception stretched out for half a year while Mr. Carnahan scraped up needed funds and equipment. Filmed in 16mm, transferred to video, and then relocated again to whatever could give it a grainy, indie feel, "Blood, Guts" highlights Sid (Carnahan) and Bob (Dan Leis) as its car's supporting individuals. They own a used car dealership about to go under, crushed by the next-door competition of Danny Woo (Dan Harlan), who has sewed up the market so tighly that Sid and Bob cannot even get deliveries of the autos they need. They get the chance of a lifetime to reinvent themselves when a thug offers them $250,000 if they would simply hold on to the LeMans and leave it in their fallow plot of land for two days. Though the more practical Bob is suspicious, he is talked into the deal by his partner, who would not have cared if forty people were killed over the lemon--as indeed they were.
Did somebody say "talked"? The folks in this accomplished film could always go into rap if their careers as actors were curtailed. Fast talkers all, they keep up such an outpouring of chatter that their seemingly improvised prattle will distract you from worrying about a plot hole. The flawed plotline would have you consider that in order to get the auto from South America to its final destination it became necessary over and over to sell and then to shoot and kill every bargain-hunter who fronted cash to get behind the driver's seat. Like business partners everywhere, Sid and Joe would spend their time bickering about the small things, seeming to disagree about every aspect of the business. Much of the film's fun is in the robust interchange of ideas between the plump, overbearing, excitable Sid and his handsome, practical partner Bob.
The actors, who obviously contributed their time, turn in professional ensemble work. Ken Rudulph as FBI Agent Jared embodies the no-nonsense federal cop of the Janeane Garafolo ("Clay Pigeons") variety, getting comic mileage as the straight man supervising the uncovering of bloody body parts in a hotel dumpster. As Danny Woo, Dan Harlan is the sentimental hub, a happily married man who will do anything for his sick, wheelchair-bound wife Dottie (Karla Cave). Carnahan provides an assortment of hillbilly oddballs and nerdish car buyers as well, in this nonlinear narrative about taking risks and about doing good by doing evil. The hand- held camera takes frequent breaks for quick, frequent flashbacks in color and in black and white as though Carnahan were gently spoofing film-school antics. On the whole, "Blood, Guts, Bullets & Octane" shows that with the right volunteer help and a financial incapacity to shoot the same scenes over and over, you can evoke enough spontaneity to capture the full attention of an intelligent audience.
Not Rated. Running time: 87 minutes. (C) Harvey Karten 1998
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