Revenge (1990)

This is a GREAT MOVIE. Story written by Jim Harrison. Enough said.

This is a GREAT MOVIE. If your only reference for what a REVENGE movie is supposed to be is "Kill Bill" and the only reading you do is the labels on the buttons of your PS3 or the microwave instructions on a pizza, then you ay be disappointed in "Revenge". On the other hand, if you trend above this baseline, the following info may be useful to you.

First all you need to know: this film is based on a screen play and short story written by Jim Harrison. Enough said. It knocked around Hollywood for a long time with numerous actors attached, and at one time was to be directed by John Huston. Huston thought of doing something like we would have done with Bogart. Kevin Costner appears at the zenith of his Dances With Wolves/Bull Durham era Costnerishness. Anthony Quinn gives a definitive performance as a corrupt Mexican PRI connected wheeler dealer crime boss. Madeleine Stowe was never this sexy or captivating again. The film drips with guy world bonding and betrayal.

Costner's character is loyal to his old friend, Quinn, whose life he saved on a hunting trip, but Costner falls in love with Quinn's wife, Stowe, while visiting Quinn at his Mexican estate near Puerto Vallarta for more game hunitng in Mexico. Costner and Stowe have an affair and run away togther to Costner's mountain cabin near the Mexican/US border. After Quinn's henchmen track down the lovers and beat Costner almost to death, kill his dog and take Stowe to a whorehouse to be imprisoned and addicted to heroin, Costner tracks down Quinn to kill him but spares his life to find out where Stowe is, and then finds her only to have her die in his arms. It's directed by Tony Scott. All of the "brand names" and past attached persons should tell you what is inside the can.

It is a shame that the director has cut over twenty minutes out of this edition of the film. The slow, poetic pace of the original cut of the film, that made the violence seem melancholy and operatic, was really one of it's great qualities. As for the Amazon reviewer that commented that the film was latently racist: I have noticed a decided tendency toward political correctness in Amazon official reviews, with a lot of prissy hand wringing over themes thought to be unsavory while sipping a latte at the sorority house. As for the comments on the violence, this is like saying that you like Don Giovani as an opera, but you will have to put up with a lot of singing.
September 29, 2008

Not worth the money

Great cast - stupid story of love, betrayal and revenge. Sorry I bought it. August 30, 2008

Excellent Film

If you read Mr. Keoh review (Amazon Critic) and you haven't heard a raving PC liberal movie critic yet this week then go back up and check him out.
But seriously don't waste your time. This is one of those films the critics love to slam but I saw it in the theater and loved it then and still do.
Costner is a retiring Navy fighter pilot who has a friend in Mexico (Anthony Quinn) who is a drug lord. Their friendship is outside the drug world, they like to play tennis and hunt. Quinn's wife turns out to be a real babe, who Costner falls for. Thats when his trouble begins. There's a lot of violence so take the rating serious, but by today's standard it's middle of the road.
One of the things I really loved about this film is the look of the film. The locations, and cinaematography are amazing, beautiful locations. June 27, 2008

DVD

This is a movie that I love and unfortunately, could not remember the title of it for the longest time. When I realized what the title was, I immediately searched for it on Amazon and sure enough, they had it. REVENGE is a terrific movie--something that I will watch over and over. I AM romantic and like to believe that any man will go through anything for the woman he truly loves. I think a man would definitely like to sit and watch this movie with his girl just because it IS NOT a mushy-gushy movie but a movie with really strong characters and plot. June 22, 2008

An Overlooked Classic

Revenge is the gruesome tale of an ex-pilot who gets involved with a beautiful women who is married to a mobster.The Unrated Cut slightly differs from the original.It adds more Sex and loses one heavy going torture scene.Why?Don't get me wrong the film absolutely blows you away.It's Tony Scott best film,full of beautiful shots and a mind blowing end.Costner was never better and Quinn delivers one of his most memorable roles in his later career.The new Edition brings new Specials (Audio Commentary and Making Of)and is highly recommended. May 2, 2008

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