Father Frank Larkin
This made TNT TV film features Mickey Rourke in an uncharacteristic role as a priest and mentor to a
former student (Dan Futterman), who returns to teach at Rourke's inner-city mission school. The
unusual casting of Mickey Rourke as a tough love, tough-as-nails priest who runs the school is another
pleasant surprise. He nails the ‘Father Frank’ character. The two have conflict over Futterman's
devotion to one particularly promising student. The story has an emotional appeal which will pulls it’s
share of heart-strings. It is only strengthened by the superb cast and steady flow of the storyline.
Mickey Rourke gets top billing through his hard-hitting, disciplined and low-key performance which
reveals his true talent and diversity as the voice of reason which makes this film work.
former student (Dan Futterman), who returns to teach at Rourke's inner-city mission school. The
unusual casting of Mickey Rourke as a tough love, tough-as-nails priest who runs the school is another
pleasant surprise. He nails the ‘Father Frank’ character. The two have conflict over Futterman's
devotion to one particularly promising student. The story has an emotional appeal which will pulls it’s
share of heart-strings. It is only strengthened by the superb cast and steady flow of the storyline.
Mickey Rourke gets top billing through his hard-hitting, disciplined and low-key performance which
reveals his true talent and diversity as the voice of reason which makes this film work.
Projecting the mean streets of inner city life on film sans cliché overkill is difficult at best without
producing an extremely depressing film. Add to this challenge the financial limitations inherent in making
a pay-for-television production, you have a near-impossible task. Director Richard Pearce made it
work. The big surprise with Thicker Than Blood is how well the project was pulled-off. A surprisingly
successful story of inner city life, with a naïve, but well-meaning teacher trying to rescue a kid with
artistic talent but a severely screwed-up home life. Based on the Bill Cain play Stand-Up Tragedy, due
to the performances of Mickey Rourke, Dan Futterman and Carlo Alban, combined with a script that
manages to avoid always taking the easy way out. Instead of just another filled rescue, we see a more
complex story unfold.
producing an extremely depressing film. Add to this challenge the financial limitations inherent in making
a pay-for-television production, you have a near-impossible task. Director Richard Pearce made it
work. The big surprise with Thicker Than Blood is how well the project was pulled-off. A surprisingly
successful story of inner city life, with a naïve, but well-meaning teacher trying to rescue a kid with
artistic talent but a severely screwed-up home life. Based on the Bill Cain play Stand-Up Tragedy, due
to the performances of Mickey Rourke, Dan Futterman and Carlo Alban, combined with a script that
manages to avoid always taking the easy way out. Instead of just another filled rescue, we see a more
complex story unfold.
Griffin Byrne, played by Dan Futterman is your basic naïve good-guy who wants to make a
difference in the world. When he takes a job as a teacher at a New York City catholic school for
low-income boys, Griffin hasn't a clue what he's gotten himself into. He actually believes he can save
every boy he teaches from falling into life on the street. A boy named Lee Cortez (Carlo Alban) with
exceptional drawing skills yet horrific home life is Griffin's 'pet-project'. Lee has very little chance of
graduating from high school, let alone getting in the art school Griffin feels he should attend because of
the extraordinarily special artistic talents he possesses. Thicker Than Blood shows us the idealistic
Griffin's struggle to rescue Lee from just becoming another statistic prophecy fulfilled, a street-hood.
difference in the world. When he takes a job as a teacher at a New York City catholic school for
low-income boys, Griffin hasn't a clue what he's gotten himself into. He actually believes he can save
every boy he teaches from falling into life on the street. A boy named Lee Cortez (Carlo Alban) with
exceptional drawing skills yet horrific home life is Griffin's 'pet-project'. Lee has very little chance of
graduating from high school, let alone getting in the art school Griffin feels he should attend because of
the extraordinarily special artistic talents he possesses. Thicker Than Blood shows us the idealistic
Griffin's struggle to rescue Lee from just becoming another statistic prophecy fulfilled, a street-hood.
| Character synopsis written by Kathy Thompson.. |
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