Mercy

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?

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-

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.

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.

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.