NEW ON PRIME VIDEO! Producer/star Priyanka Chopra Jonas continues her action-genre relationship with the Russo Brothers with The Bluff. The pirate-centric, story-driven film is directed by Frank E. Flowers, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Ballarini. The movie begins on the high seas when T.H. Bodden’s (Ismail Cruz Cordova) ship is raided by Captain Connor (Karl Urban). Connor’s searching for gold that was stolen from him, only to come across some of it in this onslaught. Reading the captain’s log, Connor and his crew discover where the ship originally departed from and plot a course to Cayman Brac.
On the island, we’re introduced to T.H.’s wife, Ercell Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), son Isaac (Vedanten Naidoo), and sister-in-law Elizabeth (Safia Oakley-Green). They all eagerly await the return of T.H. from his travels, but are unaware of the trouble that befell his voyage; the same trouble that’s about to arrive. Connor initially sends a team to the house for the gold. During the home invasion, Ercell plays the damsel in distress, but when she learns that this isn’t a regular band of thieves looking for money, things start to go awry for the pirates. Ercell’s past is now set to catch up with her, revealing she was once a captain and has amassed a vast set of combat skills throughout the years. After leading her family out of harm’s way, they are taken to a set of caves. Inside, there are weapons and traps where Ercell can plot her next steps, get back her husband, and get Connor and his men off the island.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been on a mission to make herself an action star in shows like Quantico, Citadel, and co-starring in Heads of State with John Cena and Idris Elba. Trying to prove that she’s more than just a pretty face, her formula here seems to work. Her stunt and action work is great. She keeps The Bluff exciting due to her impressive hand-to-hand and weaponry skills. The director keeps the camera on Jonas as much as possible, allowing audiences to viscerally feel her sweat and intensity; of which the actor sells well.
Ercell (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) and Captain Connor (Karl Urban) in The Bluff.
“Ercell plays the damsel in distress, but when she learns that this isn’t a regular band of thieves looking for money, things start to go awry for the pirates.”
Karl Urban is, unfortunately, a bit wasted as the main villain. The role is standard fare and full of tropes. For an actor who’s really talented, all he has to do is a lot of talking and ordering his men around to do his dirty work. His character doesn’t really do much until the very end, and really could have been played by another less-known actor, or even by Temuera Morrison, who also stars in the film.
The best part happens in the caves. Although this is an action film, it takes on a Goonies vibe, with the setting becoming its own character. There is also fun in watching the pirates, like the Fratellis, being foiled by all the traps. There’s also a Rambo feel as well, with the buccaneers being taken out one by one by Ercell. The production team adds pizazz to the swords, guns, and ammunition pirates use by making the most of their designs and lived-in look.
There hasn’t been a good pirate movie in a while. The last Pirates of the Caribbean film was nearly a decade ago for crying out loud. While The Bluff isn’t perfect, it is fun, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas excels at the action, so for an entertaining streaming option, this will do nicely.
"…Priyanka Chopra Jonas excels at the action..."
