In Miami, Alex Gates (Jack Nicholson) is a small trader of wines, married with Suzanne (Judy Davies). He does not have a good relationship with his wife and his stepson, Jason (Stephen Dorff). Alex has a Cuban mistress, Gabriela (Jennifer Lopez). One day, he decides to steal a jewel from a rich client, in the house where Gabriela works as a nanny. Alex associates to the tuberculous small-time crook Victor Spansky (Michael Caine). A series of mistakes jeopardize the heist and the selling of the necklace. This amoral and noir movie has a magnificent cast. However, something does not work well, being just an average movie about greed. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Sangue e Vinho" ("Blood and Wine")

Alex Gates (Jack Nicholson) neglects his stepson Jason (Stephen Dorff) and his wife Suzanne (Judy Davis). Alex is a wine dealer heavily in debt. Jason would rather fish with his friend Henry (Harold Perrineau Jr.) than work with his stepfather. Alex is looking to steal a diamond necklace from his customer the Reeses with the help of safecracker partner Victor (Michael Caine) and his mistress Gabriela (Jennifer Lopez) who is the Reeses' maid.

This is a great cast with a good performance from Caine. Director Bob Rafelson doesn't inject enough style to match the noir style story. The cinematic style is pedestrian. His better earlier work is not surpassed. The scheme is not the best. Alex and Gabriela would be the obvious prime suspect especially with the security guards. Only Victor seems to be doing any thinking. However if Alex is ever caught, he'd probably give up Victor quickly. The plan seems ill-conceived but I'm willing to accept the desperate robbers' stupidity. The movie is limited but has good enough tension and great actors. For a movie with Lopez, this could have been sexier. It could have been better in many ways.

Alex (Jack Nicholson) and Suzanne (Judy Davis) have a hellish marriage. She is a drunk and he cheats on her. But Alex also has a side business his wife is unaware of...in addition to being a wine merchant, he's a jewel thief! Along with his friend Victor (Michael Caine),they've stolen some amazingly expensive diamonds. But on the way to the airport to go hock these jewels, Suzanne thinks he's leaving with one of his bimbos....and attacks him. After a vicious fight, she's left him bleeding, 0unconscious and without his bag of diamonds. I 00won't tell you what happens next--you'll have to see for yourself.

While "Blood and Wine" is a well made film, some viewers will no doubt have trouble with the movie simply because there is no one to like or care about in the story. They all seem pretty awful and there are a couple horrendous killings in the film...and the ending...wow is that nasty. As for me, I wish in hindsight I'd just watched something else.