Mercy

I love a bad movie, a guilty pleasure bad movie, This is NOT that. This is the most disjointed, convoluted nonsense I've ever seen. It would be painful to watch if it wasn't so utterly mystifying. Choice after choice, beat after beat it gets worse. The poor actors don't know what to do here. You can see them trying their best to maintain some dignity but I wanted to crawl under a rock, for them. The lead actress is unwatchable, everything looks like a set and even the most basic casual clothing looks like wardrobe. The plot is formulaic and still utterly nonsensical. BUT.. I almost want you to see this!?! I challenge anyone to watch the scene at 50min ( roof run) without shouting WTAF???? It's THAT bizarre.

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.

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.

Military doctor Michelle (Leah Gibson) survives a dangerous explosion while treating a soldier. It's two years later and she's working at a hospital. She is about to leave work with her son Bobby when the FBI comes rushing in with prisoner Ryan Quinn. They have injured and the Quinn Irish criminal family coming after them. The family is led by patriarch Patrick Quinn (Jon Voight) and his murderous son Sean Quinn (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The Quinn family gang takes over the hospital and looks to recover Ryan.

Leah Gibson seems to be a thirtysomething actress who had worked a lot in secondary roles. She's blonde. She has boobs which she uses in an early shower scene. She does surprisingly functional action. She's a fine physical actress from her dance work. Along with her, this has a couple of big name actors. This has potential, but it also stinks of B-movie. Sadly, the stink wins out in this case. The writing is bland and the filmmaking is poor. They basically have the run of a building and shot a film there. B-movies like this needs great stunt sequences, but they are only passable. There is nothing here but a forgettable B-movie.

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?