Mercy (2023)

Mercy (2023). Mercy: Directed by Tony Dean Smith. With Leah Gibson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jon Voight, Sebastien Roberts. An ex-military doctor finds herself in a deadly battle for survival when the Irish mafia seize control of the hospital at which she works. When her son is taken hostage, she is forced to rely upon her battle-hardened past and lethal skills after realizing there's no one left to save the day but her.

“Greetings again from the darkness. Imagine if Liam Neesonu0026#39;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. Sheu0026#39;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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMichelle (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. Sheu0026#39;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 Michelleu0026#39;s special skills. Of course, we have seen what she hasnu0026#39;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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJonathan 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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is plenty of noise, gunfire, and tough-talking throughout the film, but we never believe that Michelle is in much danger – thanks to her u0026#39;very particular set of skills.u0026#39; Although she has acted regularly for the past 15 years, we wouldnu0026#39;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 u0026quot;The Tudorsu0026quot;, he has never reached the level of stardom I predicted after MATCH POINT (2005).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJon 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 u0026quot;Ray Donovanu0026quot; … 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 u0026#39;salutesu0026#39; we are subjected to.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn select theatres on May 12, 2023, and on demand on June 2, 2023.”