Film Review: Revenge (1990)

Choosing proper title for film is important. For example, if title is generic enough, it could make potential viewers confused of what they are about to watch and, even more importantly, film can be drowned in multitudes of similarly titled works. This can happen even with notable names behind and in front of cameras, like in case of Revenge, 1990 romantic thriller directed by Tony Scott.

The film is based on the eponymous novella by Jim Harrison. The protagonist, played by Kevin Costner, is Michael J. “Jay” Cochran, US Navy aviator and Vietnam War veteran who decided to retire and start new life. His old friend, powerful and influential Mexican businessman Tiburon “Tibey” Mendez (played by Anthony Quinn) invites him to spend time on his hacienda. Cochran agrees and has wonderful time there but also can’t help but notice his friend’s young and beautiful wife Miryea (played by Madeleine Stowe). Soon two of them become attracted to each other and start torrid affair, apparently oblivious of what someone as powerful as Tibey would do if his macho pride is hurt. And when Tibey finds out about the affair, he retaliates by having Cochran beaten to a bloody pulp and left for dead, while Miryea has her cheek slashed and sent to brothel where she would spend the rest of their days being sexually exploited by fifty men a day. Cochran miraculously survives and, after being nursed back to health by family of kind-hearted Mexican farmer Mauro (played by Joaquín Martínez) decides to start looking for Miryea. In his quest he receives help from various characters, including Mexican policeman Amador (played by Miguel Ferrer) and his cousin Ignacio (played by John Leguizamo) who both have their own scores to settle with Tibey.

Harrison’s 1979 novella, with the plot containing violence, melodrama and exotic setting, was considered quite attractive by Hollywood producers and worthy only of top stars and director. Both main actor Kevin Costner and director Tony Scott fulfilled the criteria, the latter reaching the zenith of his career after action mega-hit Top Gun, which would be referenced in the opening scenes of Revenge. Scott, who perfectly embodied 1980s Hollywood principle of “style over substance”, directs the film with great flair, never missing opportunity to create attractive shots even in most banal scenes. Good look of the film is matched by attractive cast – Costner as Gary Cooper-like lead and Madeleine Stowe, one of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses of her generation, have excellent chemistry together. Anthony Quinn is cast as elderly charismatic villain and confidently plays the type of role he could easily handle in his sleep. Supporting cast, which includes some notable names and character actors, is also good, but isn’t as effective because of the film’s main problem. And that problem is the script, which is, like the film’s title, too generic and leaves too many questions unanswered. For example, it never bothers to explain how relatively US junior military officer managed to become close friend to one of the most powerful men from the wrong side of the border. Same goes for some supporting characters whose fates and motives aren’t explored enough. The ending seems rushed and, despite melodrama that seems more at home in Classic Hollywood than in 1980s, emotionally unfulfilling. Some of the violence, especially directed against women and animals, might make more sensitive viewers uncomfortable.

Revenge, which originally had running time of 115 minutes, failed at the box office and sank into relative obscurity. In subsequent decades two alternative version appeared – producer’s cut which ran for 124 minutes and Tony’s Scott’s director’s cut which ran for 102 minutes. The latter was released on DVD in 2007 and included some of the steamier love scenes originally edited out in order not to offend prudish MPAA censors. Scott, however, also took out almost twenty of minutes of material, which made film shorter, but also its plot less comprehensible. Ironically, Madeleine Stowe would in 2010s star in much more successful project titled Revenge - eponymous TV series.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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