TRUE BLOOD

US, 1989, 100 minutes, Colour.
Jeff Fahey, Chad Lowe, Sherilynn Fenn.
Directed by Peter Maris.

True Blood is a small-budget film about New York gangs. It has the gritty tone of the streets, the violence of the clashes between gangs and gangs and police. However, it has a human touch with the story of the two brothers and their struggles. Jeff Fahey (a look-alike for Paul Le Mat) is the hero, Chad Lowe is the younger brother, Sherilynn Fenn (the sexpot of Two Moon Junction) gives a credible performance as the sympathetic waitress. James Tolken plays, as in so many films, the police lieutenant. Not bad of its kind.

1.A picture of New York gangs, the police, the human background?

2.New York city, the streets, violence? The '70s and the '80s, the same and the change? Action sequences? Musical score?

3.The title and its meaning: the two boys, the bonds of blood, their name?

4.Ray as a young member of the gang, love for Donny, offering hopes in Wyoming, the clash with Spider, the fight, the murder of the policeman on the roof, the chase, the car, the station and Ray's leaving Donny, getting on the train?

5.Ray and 10 years in the Marines, seeking Donny, the changes in the streets, discussion with Bob, Donny and the gang, Spider? Getting work from Frank? Friendship with Jennifer, talk about poetry? Finding Donny wounded, sewing him up, the friendship with Jennifer? Eluding the police? Frank letting him go? Going to the police precinct, the deal with Hanley, the truth? Confronting Masters, being shot? The reconciliation with Donny? Going to Wyoming?

6.Donny as the little boy, left at the station, member of the gang, the influence of Spider, clashing with Ray, following him, the robbery and his being wounded, his being sewn up, leaving, the apology to Jennifer, talking things over with her, the pursuit, finding Ray, shooting Masters, the deal, leaving with Ray?

7.Jennifer and her work, her explanation of her tough past, tough, the poetry, helping, the talk with Donny, being terrorised in her apartment? The happy ending?

8.Hanley, the initial chase, his anger, the pursuit of Ray, staking out the house, the escape in the garbage truck? The deal? The finale?

9.Spider and his gang, ugly, vengeance, interrogating Bob and burning him? Confrontation with Ray, his being shot?

10.The sentiment underlying the film, the relationship of the two brothers, with Jennifer, Frank and his help? The tough police and giving people a break? The blend of toughness and sentiment?