Donato and Daughter (1993)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Sgt. Mike Donato (Charles Bronson) and Lt. Dena Donato (Dana Delany), father and daughter, must put their differences to the side and deal with a serial killer stalking L.A. and mutilating and raping nuns.
This film was released shortly before the fifth DEATH WISH movie and a series of A FAMILY OF COPS so it's easy to see why it escaped so many Bronson fans. The film was made-for-TV but released straight to video in most locations but since it has yet to receive a DVD or Blu-ray release very few have actually seen it. The film itself certainly isn't a masterpiece or even a good movie but it's at least entertaining if you're a fan of the actor.
The film mixes elements of 10 TO MIDNIGHT as well as BAD LIETINENT but obviously the end results aren't anywhere near those two films. I think what works best is the relationship between Bronson and Delany. There's no question that the screenplay is rather routine and doesn't try to do anything too difficult but the actors manage to turn in fine performances and they work off one another extremely well. Xander Berkeley is also effective as the serial killer and there's no question that the film picks up once the back-and-forth between him and the Donato's come into play.
The biggest problem with the film is the fact that it simply doesn't try to do anything more than be a cable movie. The film is a bit more violent and contains a darker subject matter than you'd expect to see but there's really no style to be found and the story itself is full of clichés including the big secret that Bronson is hiding, which has caused his character to be distant from his daughter. DONATO AND DAUGHTER will appeal to Bronson fans but it certainly can't compare to his best work.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Sgt. Mike Donato (Charles Bronson) and Lt. Dena Donato (Dana Delany), father and daughter, must put their differences to the side and deal with a serial killer stalking L.A. and mutilating and raping nuns.
This film was released shortly before the fifth DEATH WISH movie and a series of A FAMILY OF COPS so it's easy to see why it escaped so many Bronson fans. The film was made-for-TV but released straight to video in most locations but since it has yet to receive a DVD or Blu-ray release very few have actually seen it. The film itself certainly isn't a masterpiece or even a good movie but it's at least entertaining if you're a fan of the actor.
The film mixes elements of 10 TO MIDNIGHT as well as BAD LIETINENT but obviously the end results aren't anywhere near those two films. I think what works best is the relationship between Bronson and Delany. There's no question that the screenplay is rather routine and doesn't try to do anything too difficult but the actors manage to turn in fine performances and they work off one another extremely well. Xander Berkeley is also effective as the serial killer and there's no question that the film picks up once the back-and-forth between him and the Donato's come into play.
The biggest problem with the film is the fact that it simply doesn't try to do anything more than be a cable movie. The film is a bit more violent and contains a darker subject matter than you'd expect to see but there's really no style to be found and the story itself is full of clichés including the big secret that Bronson is hiding, which has caused his character to be distant from his daughter. DONATO AND DAUGHTER will appeal to Bronson fans but it certainly can't compare to his best work.