BLOOD & WINE

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On face value, it could be easy to discount Bob Rafelson's last feature film, "Blood &  Wine," as a run-of-the-mill neo-noir of the era.

Think, "Red Rock West," "Fargo," or "The Last Seduction."

"Blood & Wine" keeps good company.

This movie ages very nicely.

Bob Raelson, the counter-culture filmmaking icon behind "Five Easy Pieces" crafts a complex cliche-bending crime caper with clever plot-twists, reversals, and shit-hitting-fan sequences packed with sharp dialogue.

"Blood & Wine's" car chase sequences are heart-pumping.

Thrills, chills, and gut punches don't stop.

Dependable Rafelson regular Jack Nicholson eschews his signature scene-chewing approach to allow well occupied space by his worthy co-stars, namely Michael Caine, Stephen Dorff, Judy Davis, and Jennifer Lopez.

Conceived of as the final installment to Rafelson's trilogy of films that he made with Jack Nicholson (behind "Five Easy Pieces" and "The King of Marvin Gardens"), "Blood & Wine" takes full advantage of Miami's social reality of sunshine, sex, and crime.

Co-written by Rafelson with Alison Cross, and Nick Villiers, this is no by-committee script.

Alex (Nicholson) is a wine distributor with a taste for exotic women and anything that feeds his outsized ego. Nevermind that Alex's string of betrayals has alienated his long suffering wife Suzanne (Judy Davis). Alex takes advantage of his stepson Jason (Stephen Dorff), using him as an employee.

In debt up to his neck, Alex hatches a plan with Victor (Michael Caine), his safe-cracking partner in crime, to steal a million dollar necklace from one of Alex's gated community wine customers while the family is away.

Not everything goes to plan.

It's a thrill to watch Jack Nicholson and Michael Caine playing off one another. Jennifer Lopez is funny as she is sexy as a Cuban immigrant playing all ends against the middle. For his part, Stephen Dorff makes the most of his crucial role opposite Caine and Nicholson.

More blood than wine spills in this solid neo-noir romp.

Chewy, juicy, and profound.

Crack a bottle of vino and enjoy this fantastic movie.

Rated R. 101 mins.