Mercy

Greetings again from the darkness. Imagine if Liam Neeson's character in TAKEN had also been a skilled trauma surgeon ... and a woman. If so, the result would be similar to the main character here, Michelle, played by Leah Gibson. Michelle is that rare former military doctor with special ops skills. She's also a mother to a young son, and experiences a traumatic event in the opening scene in this film from director Tony Dean Smith and writer Alex Wright.

Michelle (Ms. Gibson) returns to civilian life as a single mother and secures a job as a surgeon at a small suburban hospital where a former military affiliate is Chief of Surgery. She's making the best of her new life, and has secured the night off work to take her son to a big soccer match for his birthday. Before they can leave the hospital, a gunshot victim arrives - one needing Michelle's special skills. Of course, we have seen what she hasn't ... the gun shot victim is part of the local Irish mob known as the Quinn Brotherhood, and though his wounds occurred during a crime, there is a twist.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays Sean Quinn, the hot-headed son of Patrick Quinn (Oscar winner Jon Voight). The two butt heads as the elderly Patrick looks for a negotiated agreement under duress, while the young Sean thinks everything can be solved with intimidation and violence. Not helping matters is a rookie FBI agent who has the youngest Quinn son (the above-mentioned gunshot victim) in custody.

There is plenty of noise, gunfire, and tough-talking throughout the film, but we never believe that Michelle is in much danger - thanks to her 'very particular set of skills.' Although she has acted regularly for the past 15 years, we wouldn't call Leah Gibson a familiar face. She is, however, up to the challenges of this physically demanding role. Even Jonathan Rhys Meyers is all in as the psychopath gangster, and despite his turn in "The Tudors", he has never reached the level of stardom I predicted after MATCH POINT (2005).

Jon Voight is now 85 years old, and his storied career includes key roles in MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969), DELIVERANCE (1972), COMING HOME (1978), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996), and a career renaissance with "Ray Donovan" ... the role most similar to his character in this movie. Outside of Mr. Voight, the film has a distinct B-movie look and feel, although the clown in the hospital was a nice touch and almost made up for the lame 'salutes' we are subjected to.

In select theatres on May 12, 2023, and on demand on June 2, 2023.

Obviously action movies tend to dismiss realism for a good view, but this just scrapes by as watchable due to its unrealistic plot and characters that just don't fit. A medical officer portrayed as some kind of elite hand to hand combat specialist, assisted by an agent who just seems to blunder his way through the ordeal. Then we have an Irish family with poor accents, no regard for the outcome of their actions - just bouncing from one mishap to another, hardly the traits of an organised mob gang. Shame it didn't have some one liners and a comedic slant as it would had have improved the outcome dramatically.

An Irish crime family takes over a hospital in Washington (state) when the heir of the business is wounded in a clash with law enforcement. A doctor with military experience helps authorities from the inside (Leah Gibson). Jon Voight is on hand as the Irish 'Godfather.'

"Mercy" (2023) is a snappy crime thriller in the mold of "Die Hard," just with a lower budget and a kick-axx woman in the top role instead of Bruce Willis.

Speaking of whom, Leah Gibson shines here and is one of the main reasons for seeing this minor flick that cost $5 million. The only other film I've seen her in is "The Devil's Ground" from 14 years prior where she had the same distinctive doe-eyed face, but with a stick figure; she's thankfully filled out over the years and looks great in tight jeans. Her beauty is well displayed throughout without getting sleazy.

Another positive is that "Mercy" is pro-Conservative. Critics are too hard on it seeing as how it delivers the goods if you're in the mood for a quick action thriller.

The movie is short-n-sweet at 1 hour, 25 minutes, and was presumably shot in the Seattle area (you can see the Space Needle in the distance). I say 'presumably' because I can't find specifics on the locations.

GRADE: B-

It's such a foolish scene, especially towards the end when they all meet up near Merturay. The father and son start to quarrel, but Dr. Michelle (Leah Gibson) stands there and watches. Wouldn't people run away when they have chances in real life?? These are just some of the pathetic scenes that I notice.

Director Tony Dean Smith may not get another good film after this and Leah Gibson must think before signing up for another film.

One of the worst parts of the film was when 2 FBI officers saluting the Dr Michelle when she appeared on the roof of the hospital. What a pathetic scene. The FBI chap's part was unbelievable. Do FBIs really do their job like that?

I won't go on too long. All the other sub 5-star ratings are on point... with one exception: Voight's fake Irish accent is horrendous, appealing, (pick your favorite diss).

Given the rest of the movie, and the story is so garbage, he might as well have played a distant mob uncle from America, so the audience could avoid listening to the accent. Miserable.

I watched it on the plane without expecting too much... but my goodness did it fall short of my already super low expectations.

I do hope this does not break even or in any other way incentivizes the producers to half-ass another film in the future.