"Revenge" is based on a novella by Jim Harrison who together with Jeffrey Alan Fiskin also wrote the screenplay. The plot is extremely simple and straight forward and doesn't contain any real twists or surprises but does gain some traction by the nature and intensity of the circumstances that the characters confront.
This story of friendship, passion and betrayal leads inexorably to violent retribution and consequences that are tragic for everyone concerned. The circumstances that lead to such misery and loss are the result of extreme recklessness, sexual obsession and a completely unrealistic grasp of the dangers involved by a couple whose infidelity triggers a truly horrific sequence of events.
Jay Cochran (Kevin Costner) is a U.S. Navy pilot who retires after 12 years service and decides to take up an invitation from an old friend in Mexico to visit his impressive hacienda. Jay and Tibey Mendez (Anthony Quinn) had become firm friends some years earlier after Jay had saved Tibey's life on a hunting trip. Tibey is now a very wealthy and powerful crime boss who's well connected politically and constantly surrounded by heavily armed henchmen.
When Jay meets Tibey's much younger wife Miryea (Madeleine Stowe), there's an instant attraction between them and it isn't long before they embark on a passionate affair. Tibey quickly realises what's going on and he and his men break into a cabin where the lovers are together and viciously beat up Jay and kill his dog. Tibey then slashes his wife's face with a knife and after burning down the cabin, Jay is left for dead in the desert and Miryea is taken to work in a whorehouse and regularly injected with heroin.
A compassionate Mexican finds Jay lying unconscious and gradually nurses him back to health. After making a full recovery, Jay sets off on a mission to find Miryea and hunt down Tibey.
Anthony Quinn's age, physique and general appearance make him perfect for his role but the way in which he also skilfully displays the various facets of Tibey's personality is very impressive. His character is interesting because despite being friendly, generous and good humoured on most occasions, he's also an extremely violent man who's cruel, vicious and utterly ruthless.
Jay shows a lack of respect for his host by turning up late and also seems oblivious to some of the tensions surrounding him at the hacienda. Presumably, as a pilot he was used to pushing the envelope at times and maybe this explains his over-confidence and insensitivity. Whether this is the case or not, his judgement is seriously flawed by any standards and the misfortunes that he suffers are of his own making.
Kevin Costner is more convincing in portraying Jay's self-centred and impulsive behaviour than in showing the level of passion that drove Jay into getting involved in such a dangerous affair. Madeleine Stowe's performance, by contrast, is consistently strong as the reserved and tragic Miryea whose only consolation is that she ultimately gets to chose her own means of escape.
The simplicity and predictability of the plot are the movie's greatest deficiencies but the locations used and the cinematography are together very successful in creating the atmosphere in which all the action, romance and violence take place.
This story of friendship, passion and betrayal leads inexorably to violent retribution and consequences that are tragic for everyone concerned. The circumstances that lead to such misery and loss are the result of extreme recklessness, sexual obsession and a completely unrealistic grasp of the dangers involved by a couple whose infidelity triggers a truly horrific sequence of events.
Jay Cochran (Kevin Costner) is a U.S. Navy pilot who retires after 12 years service and decides to take up an invitation from an old friend in Mexico to visit his impressive hacienda. Jay and Tibey Mendez (Anthony Quinn) had become firm friends some years earlier after Jay had saved Tibey's life on a hunting trip. Tibey is now a very wealthy and powerful crime boss who's well connected politically and constantly surrounded by heavily armed henchmen.
When Jay meets Tibey's much younger wife Miryea (Madeleine Stowe), there's an instant attraction between them and it isn't long before they embark on a passionate affair. Tibey quickly realises what's going on and he and his men break into a cabin where the lovers are together and viciously beat up Jay and kill his dog. Tibey then slashes his wife's face with a knife and after burning down the cabin, Jay is left for dead in the desert and Miryea is taken to work in a whorehouse and regularly injected with heroin.
A compassionate Mexican finds Jay lying unconscious and gradually nurses him back to health. After making a full recovery, Jay sets off on a mission to find Miryea and hunt down Tibey.
Anthony Quinn's age, physique and general appearance make him perfect for his role but the way in which he also skilfully displays the various facets of Tibey's personality is very impressive. His character is interesting because despite being friendly, generous and good humoured on most occasions, he's also an extremely violent man who's cruel, vicious and utterly ruthless.
Jay shows a lack of respect for his host by turning up late and also seems oblivious to some of the tensions surrounding him at the hacienda. Presumably, as a pilot he was used to pushing the envelope at times and maybe this explains his over-confidence and insensitivity. Whether this is the case or not, his judgement is seriously flawed by any standards and the misfortunes that he suffers are of his own making.
Kevin Costner is more convincing in portraying Jay's self-centred and impulsive behaviour than in showing the level of passion that drove Jay into getting involved in such a dangerous affair. Madeleine Stowe's performance, by contrast, is consistently strong as the reserved and tragic Miryea whose only consolation is that she ultimately gets to chose her own means of escape.
The simplicity and predictability of the plot are the movie's greatest deficiencies but the locations used and the cinematography are together very successful in creating the atmosphere in which all the action, romance and violence take place.