Revenge (I) (1990) User Reviews

Atmospheric and well acted, a bit of a sleeper.

[RedRoadster · 7/10 · 15 May 2009]

Kevin Costner in his early days managed to convey a rawness to his characters that was seldom seen after he made "Dances with Wolves" and became a successful producer. Films such as "No Way Out" (1987), "Bull Durham" (1988) and of course "Revenge" (1990) showed him when he was trying to establish his career and you could feel the actor at work rather than the movie maker.

In "Revenge" Costner plays US Navy pilot Michael "Jay" Cochran who is retiring after 12 years in the service. He seems to have lost direction and wants to take some time out for himself. He plans first to go and see his old friend and Tennis partner Tiburon "Tibby" Mendez (Anthony Quinn) who is a powerful mob boss in Mexico. Exactly why they are friends is a little unclear but it seems that Tibby owes Jay a debt for saving his life at some point in the past. Once Jay arrives at the Mendez Hacienda he meets Miryea (Madeleine Stowe) Tibby's wife. Instantly attracted to one another and although initially fighting the chemistry between them, they begin an affair, which comes with massive consequences.

This film has elements of "The Wild Bunch" (1969) to it and the location shooting in Mexico adds so much to the atmosphere and tensity of the story. There are seamy and claustrophobic qualities to many of the situations which are enhanced beautifully by the background. The acting is nicely understated, Costner manages to display a barely restrained anger throughout the second part of the film and Anthony Quinn is convincing as the superficially charming but totally ruthless mobster. Madelaine Stowe is OK as the female lead but struggles with a Mexican accent and seems a bit uncomfortable with the innocence that her character is supposed to portray.

"Revenge" was commercially unsuccessful but is one of those movies that deserves to be seen. Costner, being an actor of limited range, was always best at these type of roles. When he behaves rather than acts, you get to see the best of him.

If I have any complaints, I believe the denouement of the story, although certainly interesting, doesn't quite fit. The build up to it promises something more of a violent showdown and the character of Jay would seem by this point to be poised to take his "revenge". Perhaps the downbeat finish was done to avoid "going Hollywood" with a big finale and as i mentioned it is certainly effective, but leaves a general feeling that there is business still to be done.

An interesting and entertaining movie that is well worth viewing.

Highly underrated

[billy-7 · 7/10 · 12 March 2000]

I'd avoided this film for years, despite being a huge Costner fan, because people had described it as nearly unwatchable. On the advice of someone on the internet, I gave it a shot, and what a surprise! Although it'll never be one of my favorite films, it's certainly worthwhile, a highly engrossing (albeit graphically gory) trip through a wide and shifting range of emotions. Quinn gives his best performance since "Zorba," and Costner and Stowe are extremely good. The photography is extraordinary, and Mexican music has seldom been used so effectively. I'd recommend it to anyone with a strong stomach. The love scenes, by the way, are romantic AND sexy, a rare combination.

Magnificent ending!

[enterthecass · 7/10 · 15 May 2002]

Certainly the ending of this film is extremely moving and literally takes your breath away. It leaves you with a feeling that you have probably seen something better than what you actually have. Of course Tony Scott is one of the most stylish directors about ie.- 'The Hunger'(1983) which has to be one of the most stylish films about. He's also made his fair share of blockbusters ie.-'Top Gun'(1985),'Beverly Hills Cop 2'(1987),'Days of Thunder'(1989) and more recently 'Enemy of the State'(1998)- all of which took a lot of money, the profits of the first one in particular bordering on the ridiculous. And don't forget he made the little seen(in the cinema anyway) but memorable 'True Romance'(1992). So you get the feeling that here Mr.Scot was making a picture trapped in-between both worlds- that of the blockbuster and the more personal picture. The film did only average in the box office and did not really make any kind of impact on any of the performer's careers.It is beautifully filmed with lots of trademark Scott shots ie- sun beams pouring through a drawn blind and mist covering the scenery. The violence is maybe a little too graphic. Costner goes through the motions somewhat in a character who is a mix of the roles he played in 'No Way Out'(1987) and 'The Bodyguard'(1992).He does his best acting in the final quarter of the picture where he shows well executed, muted regret and sorrow.Stowe is very attractive and impressive as Miryea who for the second half of the picture is dying slowly through a drugged daze. Anthony Quinn delivers a solid display as the larger than life Mexican gangster who after delivering his vengeance on Jay and Miryea becomes a sad, secluded old man who takes no pleasure in the measures he has taken but continues to justify them.Such a role is very undemanding for a legend like Quinn.Miguel Ferrer also has an undemanding role and John Leguziamo is impressive in an early career role as an eager but almost mute gunman who aids Costner.The plot is nothing special.The only interesting point is that Quinns character's vengeance, though excessive, is justifiable. Ultimately Jay and Miryea get their just deserts in the sense that both betrayed him through their secretive adultery which seems more born out of lust than love. The love between these two is not well enough developed to justify the beautiful ending to the film. If the couples relationship had been longer and not completely based around sex you could understand the emotion between them more.The piano track used for the two lovers is very touching and forms the perfect soundtrack for the memorable ending sequence. OVERALL- I give this picture 7/10. It is raised above average by the ending. Ultimately it is worth sitting through the picture,which is overlong, and paying attention to it just for the ending which is beautifully shot, romantic, captivating and probably one of the most heartbreakingly sad moments in film history(yes its that good). Even the most stoneyhearted will be touched.

Serve That Dish Cold, Kev

[flickershows · 6/10 · 23 July 2004]

Tony Scott loves his so-called good guys to be amoral anti-heroes. The more ruthless they are, the better (after they've taken a pounding from the bad guy first, natch). And whenever possible, he likes Mexico to be in the mix. With that set-up, I could be describing 'Man On Fire', 'True Romance', or 1990's 'Revenge'. Since he unofficially remade 'Revenge' as 'Man On Fire' earlier this year, I should just call up that review and replace Denzel Washington's name with Kevin Costner's. Even though I'm seeing them out of order, the 14-year-old flick is better. Scott even shows more grown-up sensibilities than he usually does and directs his actors through believable love scenes. I don't think he's been so unabashedly romantic since this period in the early '90s.

Costner plays Jay Cochran, a cocky Navy pilot (shades of Maverick from 'Top Gun') who vacations in Mexico after retiring from the jet-set life. Playing host to the flier is a ruthless tycoon, Tibby Mendez (Anthony Quinn). The two men are old friends, despite the generation gap and the fact they have nothing in common. But just when you think Costner is going to have some fun, he has to go and fall in lust with Tibby's wife, Mireya (the heavenly Madeleine Stowe). [What beautiful kids those two actors would make.] They don't vault into bed immediately, but neither of them lets a little thing like loyalty to Tibby get in the way of their passion. When the husband finds out, Jay is severely beaten and Mireya is scarred & banished to a whorehouse.

You thought revenge would be Quinn's for his cuckolding? No, vengeance is Costner's. He spends most of the second hour of this bloody picture busting up anybody who might know what happened to his lover. 'Revenge' equals serious violence, no doubt about it. It's rare that the usually heroic Costner is given the chance to ride the gruesome line between good & evil. He's probably justified, but he DID betray his friend by bedding the man's wife. You don't do that in Mexico without waking up in the afterlife, so you might say Cochran got off easy. The tender climax is a bit of surprise from the the slick Scott, giving his otherwise angry film a heart. The movie might not be much fun, but the actors are pretty good and the story is always watchable. And violent.

Shockingly Great Film

[oneflewovertheapocalypse · 8 September 2004]

It has been nearly ten years since I last saw Revenge but I always have this fond memory of how much it had an impact on me as it was a very courageous project for Kevin Costner at that time. It started off like this Top Gun rip off then turned into this beautiful tale of love, passion and betrayal. Never have a seen a love story with so much chemistry and have an ending which Hollywood would never dream of now compared to back then.

Kevin Costner is an air pilot leaving the Navy to visit a very old friend Anthony Quinn. I can't remember why they were both such good friends to start off with, I think it was something to do with them both being in a war together or something along those lines. In the time they have been apart Quinn has married a beautiful women played by Madeline Stowe and he takes no time in getting them both acquainted. And in no time Costner and Stowe become a little to friendly and start to fall for each other but fight their best to avoid this.

What works perfectly is how Quinn knows how beautiful his wife is and how much he really knows without saying how much Costner wants her. This adds to the tension as he always makes Costner feel uncomfortable by asking him questions about how beautiful she is. It all erupts to you know what and I think most of the end is more like a western than anything. This is what turned the film around for me as they are some truly brutal scenes in this film and that's when the story really begins and the revenge from both sides of the story begin to take turn.

By the end of the film I was just surprised at how rare a film like this was back in the day when films weren't completely apart of Hollywood and followed there own path into making a decent film which is what Revenge delivers. Anthony Quinn didn't make many more films after this so this was a rare gem as his Quinn goes and this is a movie which you wouldn't expect Costner to be taking the lead.

Fantastic

Betrayal, Retribution & Tragedy

[seymourblack-1 · 7/10 · 19 June 2013]

"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.

Clichéd, pulpy source material elevated by fine filmmaking and performances

[brchthethird · 7/10 · 7 April 2015]

As spotty as Tony Scott's filmography was, it's easy to forget how good he could be. This is my first time seeing REVENGE and I must say that I was surprised by how emotionally involving and artfully directed it was, despite relying on a number of genre clichés. Kevin Costner plays Michael "Jay" Cochran, a 12-year Navy veteran who has just left the service and goes to see his friend, Tiburon Mendez (Anthony Quinn), in Mexico. While there, he ends up falling in love with Tibey's (as his friends call him) beautiful, young wife Miryea (Madeleine Stowe). When Tibey finds out about this, leaves Jay for dead and throws Miryea away in a whorehouse. The remainder of the film is Jay going back to rescue Miryea. Hopefully I haven't given too much away, but the film is 25 years old and there has to be a statute of limitations on spoilers, even if they're small. Since I liked more than I disliked, I'll just get the negative stuff out of the way first. I mentioned earlier that this film relies on genre clichés. One such example, and very key to establishing the central character relationship is the history shared by Tibey and Jay. Apparently, they were hunting buddies and Jay saved Tibey's life one time, so now Tibey is in debt to Jay. That's something that's been done to death in countless films before and since, but it wouldn't be such an issue if that wasn't the extent of it. It was just hard for me to buy that a Navy pilot would have it in so good with a Mexican power broker/kingpin. I also thought the romance that develops between Jay and Miryea was rather cliché, even if it was well-performed. And to be fair, this movie has some great performances in it. Kevin Costner was his usual likable self, and veteran actor Anthony Quinn was great as his world-weary foil. Madeleine Stowe did fine, but isn't given much to do besides be the damsel in distress once confined to the whorehouse. Now, on to the positives (the rest). This is probably one of Tony Scott's best-directed films, and came a decade or so before he started using his much ripped-off MTV shooting style. There were some really artful shots, e.g., a fire being reflected in sunglasses or beautiful shots of the Mexican terrain. Even the sex scenes were shot well. I also really liked the score, which struck a fine balance between melancholy and tension. But most of all, and despite the clichéd elements, the characters were well written and developed, and the performances really elevated the rather pulpy source material. Overall, REVENGE is an artful, occasionally thoughtful action thriller that probably deserves more attention than it got/currently gets. It might have a shaky dramatic foundation, but it's definitely worth seeing for what's built around and on top of it.

They had it coming

[sascha-17 · 4/10 · 10 December 2010]

***Warning: Major Spoilers Ahead!!***

After years of looking for this movie (it never came out on DVD over here in Germany), I finally watched it on pay-TV last night. It was the theatrical version and, thank God, it was even uncut. The picture quality was very good ... almost looked like a restored version.

I haven't seen the DC yet, just checked out an illustrated comparison of the two versions on the web. BUT: I can definitely see why Scott wanted to re-cut the film after all these years. For a movie titled "Revenge", it sure drags quite a bit - not just in the beginning but in the second and third acts as well. Worrying news for an action-/revenge-flick. Sadly, no matter how much you'll cut out of this film (or cut back in), it still lacks good characters, a believable plot or compelling action-scenes.

Cochran (Costner) has got to be the worst character in the entire movie: A selfish, cocky and immature, well, a$$hole, who somehow has a powerful Mexican mafia-don (Quinn) as his best friend. And despite said Don's obvious power and ruthlessness, Cochran thinks that starting an affair with his hot, young and neglected wife (Stowe) would be a good idea. Some scenes involving Costner are pain-inducingly awful. Like the one where he gets showered with gifts by his fellow navy pilots. It's probably meant to show us what a cool dude he is. What it actually does is make him look like an arrogant prick. Or later, when Quinn comes to his house and all but *tells* him that he knows something is going on between Costner and Stowe - and even leaves him a way out by asking Cochran to fly him down to Caracas (instead of taking off to the country with his new lover). After Costner refused Quinn for the third time in this scene, his character lost all credibility along with my sympathy.

And that's bad news in a story like "Revenge": If the audience can't identify with the hero, why should they care about his fate? I for one didn't feel sorry for Cochrane or the wife during their ordeal at the hand's of Quinn's thugs. The way they acted, they were practically *asking* for Quinn's revenge.

Which brings me neatly to the movie's title. It's not quite clear who is exacting revenge in the story: The cheated husband (Quinn) or the beaten-and left-for-dead lover (Costner). If it's the former, it seems pretty exaggerated, since brutally beating his friend and slicing his wife's face and then selling her into prostitution feels rather harsh for a weekend of sex. If it's the latter, the titular revenge seems rather half-assed. Cochrane does kill a couple of thugs, but when he finally gets to Quinn, instead of killing him in a cruel and creative way, he apologizes for his wrong-doings and lets him go.

The sad thing about this movie is that behind all the awkward characterization you can see glimpses of how this could've been a good, dark, gritty revenge-pic. Sadly however, it never really delivers.

4/10

"I have already fathered dozens of children!"

[PredragReviews · 8/10 · 29 June 2016]

A story about uncontrollable passion and desire that forces two people to act upon impulses they know they should put aside but they cannot control their true feelings, and act with reckless abandon. Madelaine Stowe is the lovely lady in an unfulfilling marriage to Tibby Mendez (Anthony Quinn) that Jay, Costner's character, almost immediately falls in love with. Tibby belongs to the Mexican underworld, probably a drug king-pin, and befriends Jay who saved Tibby's life in a hunting accident. When Tibby invites Jay to spend a few weeks at his estate in Mexico, he never imagined Jay would attempt to steal his lovely young wife.

This is a solid story, with strong characters, and fine acting all around. However, understand what this film is not. This is not a 'date movie', and not a 'happy' story, but it does indeed reflect real life, and how things do not always end up rosy in the end, or the way we want them. It simply tells a good story, something many films never seem to accomplish, and we get to come along for the ride. It's racy, violent, passionate and moving all wrapped into one. I felt an understanding of the love, pain, betrayal and yes the need for revenge. It was entertaining and an epic portrayal of love and pain.

Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Better than many think

[ereinion · 7/10 · 13 March 2005]

This is a movie that I always enjoy watching, no matter how many times I've seen it previously. Kevin Costner stars in what is one of his better roles as the veteran pilot J. Cochran who retires from his job in the navy and goes to Mexico to visit his old friend Tiburon "Tibey" Mendez, played excellently by Anthony Quinn in what is one of his last powerful performances. Madeleine Stowe plays Mendez' much younger wife who catches Cochran's eye from the first moment. A passionate love affair ensues, but with tragic consequences.

The theme of love, forbidden love, vs friendship/loyalty is worked out here in a striking way and it makes this a powerful and highly emotional film. Here we see the effect a betrayal can have on a man like Tiburon Mendez. Once the bridge is burned, there is no way back to his grace. Despite the fact that Cochran saved his life, he shows no mercy for him. When you break that old Mexican code, nothing else matters.

This film has a great photography with some visually stunning scenes, specially sunsets and sunrises and Costner and Stowe never looked better. That, together with the even performances and the suspenseful twists makes this a very enjoyable and for most a recommendable movie.7/10

flatliner

[Kalamata · 2/10 · 14 May 2011]

This movie proves that Tony Scott wasn't always a great director. One review said that this film was the basis for a much superior film (tho' not to him), Man On Fire. Seen in that light, I can say 'good on ya, Tone,' you made up for this thing with a really superior revenge flick.' It's Man On Fire that should have been called 'Revenge'. This movie starts out like it's going to be sensational, but soon it begins to drift. Then the clichés pile one upon the other until the last painful scene which was pulled almost directly from Wuthering Heights. Even to some of the camera angles! The dramatic keg that Tony was filling with gunpowder, the fuse that was going to light it, it all gets wet with scenes that look promising but never deliver. This is dramatis interruptus. Costner is very uneven and Quinn is Quinn. Madeleine Stowe looks fantastic. Overall the movie looks great. But beyond that it's a frustrating film from a director who became great. Just not yet.

'Revenge' surpassed by the flavor of desire and love...

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 8/10 · 16 December 2003]

'Revenge' has a recently retired fighter pilot (Kevin Costner) who goes to the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta, to enjoy the hospitality of an old friend he saves once his life on a hunting trip...

The possessive longtime friend has a wonderful-but-unhappy wife... Mireya (Madeleine Stowe) is an exotic young brunette, with great magnetism, who truly blew Costner's mind... Mireya embarks on a passionate affair, that naturally drives her husband 'Tibby' (Anthony Quinn) out of his mind...

Sexual tension is an integral part of Tony Scott's character's conflict... It rises off like heat emanating from the sand when the two lovers head in a jeep toward a nearby cute cabin... Costner and Stowe are attracted to one another, and naturally, the more they fight the attraction, the more they are thrown together...

Stowe's body comes alive at that brief caress, quickening her pulse, making her breath catch in anticipation... She experiences the heat in the slow slide of Costner's fingers, a passionate demand she couldn't help but respond to...

The plot is really predictable, and there's real high tension in the first part, but multiple stabbings, shootings, and beatings in the second, as the husband enters a storm of insane fury against the lovers...

'Revenge' is certainly a realm of brutality and pain, of love gone wrong and vengeance gone mad...

Scott's Director's Cut is tighter, packing more visceral punch

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 15 March 2011]

Costner is Jay Cochran, a freshly retired Navy jet pilot who ventures down to Mexico for a long holiday with old friend, and ruthless kingpin, Tibby Mendez (Anthony Quinn). In no time at all, Cochran becomes enamored of Tibby's gorgeous young wife, Mireya (Madeleine Stowe). Sparks fly between the two, and a steamy love affair ensues. Tibby discovers his wife's illicit activities, and moves to exact revenge for his friend's betrayal. Cochran is beaten to within an inch of his life and left for dead on the side of the road. Mireya, physically marred, is sentenced to life in a brothel to live out her days in a heroin-induced haze. Cochran survives and mounts his own campaign of vengeance.

Now in all honesty, I don't think anyone watches this movie without shaking their head at Cochran. Until he takes up arms and swears revenge, he's your basic facepalm of a character. He knows she's taken, and he knows his old amigo has a vicious temper. She's a well-kept trophy wife surrounded by gun-toting henchmen. Tibby's not going to let this go with a slap on the hand. But it's Tibby's sheer brutality that's so shocking. The film takes a sudden and savage turn when Cochran is beaten to a bloody pulp, bones crushed, consciousness fleeting. And the payback Tibby has in store for his adulterous wife is off the charts; sold into a life of prostitution in a semi-conscious state.

But the common sense of the main characters is not what's important in the long run. This film lives and breathes through the undeniable chemistry between Costner and Stowe. They really do bring 110% to their roles. Their love scenes only add to the horror we (and they) experience when they're punished. Both find genuine (albeit short-lived) happiness only to be sentenced to their respective hells.

The Director's Cut actually excises 30 minutes from the original version, and it serves to quicken the pace and add a visceral punch to an already brutal (and morbid) love story. In a time when such revised cuts are used merely as gimmicks, this film truly benefits from Scott's revisions.

7/10

The only revenge taken is on the viewer

[mnpollio · 1/10 · 25 July 2013]

From the latter 1980s into the early 1990s, actor Kevin Costner seemed to lead a relatively charmed professional life, appearing in such popular films as Silverado, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, JFK and his Oscar-winning spectacle Dances With Wolves, before tanking and never really quite recovering from Waterworld. In the midst of this success stands a little-seen "action" film called Revenge, which came and went very quickly and won over neither critics nor viewers, before being forgotten in light of DWW's success later that same year.

The film centers on former Navy pilot Costner who, for some reason, thinks it is a great idea to take a vacation at the palatial estate of an organized crimelord (Anthony Quinn), who he once transported on a hunting trip, or some such rubbish. It does not take long to see where the predictable film is going when we are introduced to Quinn's much-younger wife, Madeleine Stowe. Before you know it, Costner and Stowe are having quickies in the closet, while Quinn is doing solo lambadas on the dance floor at his estate. It does not take long for Quinn's minions to be dispatched to beat up Costner to near death and kidnap/brutalize Stowe, and then...well, quite frankly, most discerning viewers won't care.

To say that the film's pace is stillborn would be complimentary. It has little in the way of surprises and trudges very slowly from point A to point B. Pretty much every character is unlikable and unsavory in some capacity. For a torrid liaison that "cannot be denied" as the posters heralded, the chemistry between Costner and Stowe is nearly non-existent and not helped at all by director Tony Scott's glossy, Calvin Klein-inspired love scenes. Worse, the film is entirely too long and convoluted for such a simplistic core story. It goes without saying before the lights dim that Costner and Stowe will fall into lust and Quinn will vent his wrath, but this takes a huge amount of film time to happen.

The latter portion of the picture is downright laughable and ultimately pointless. After Costner is beaten and left to die (one presumes), he recovers, hooks up with an entirely new set of characters in the latter third of the film and sets about to ostensibly get revenge on Quinn. The introduction of a gaggle of new people out of the blue is a bit jarring, especially since they are more interesting and well-played by character actors like Miguel Ferrer and Sally Kirkland than were any of their predecessors. Once Costner crashes Quinn's estate, instead of a mano a mano, they basically stare intently at each other before Costner apologizes for shtupping his wife and the satisfied Quinn sends him off to find her dying in a mountain nunnery still clutching a keepsake of his.

The entire endeavor is filmed with precious little in the way of action and conveyed with the solemnity one usually saves for eulogies. Aside from Ferrer and Kirkland who manage to make much of little in the very latter portion of the film, this is no ones finest acting hour. Stowe is particularly dreadful. Shoe-horned into costumes so tight that one fears bodily harm was done to the actress, she spends the majority of the film either semi-conscious or demonstrating the emotive abilities of a mannequin. I honestly did not think that the woman could act until seeing some of her subsequent work. And truthfully, if her character was so compelled to have a child that she would face death and dally with the next agreeable man to cross her sight, why on earth did she marry someone as old as Quinn, who has no interest to father a child, to begin with? Quinn trots out the old nutshell of the macho Latin crime boss with almost no deviations. Quinn has played similar roles numerous times and this time is particularly nothing special. Hopefully he was well paid. By contrast, Costner cannot be accused of not throwing himself into the part. He had become synonymous at the time with upstanding American heroes, so it must have seemed a coup to play someone a bit shady and unethical. He gets to wear the kind of beaten-up makeup that looks like your eyes are fried eggs and briefly flashes his well-toned derriere (the only high point of the film). Unfortunately, there is nary a breath of humor to his acting here and he takes things so seriously that one would think he was appearing in a Shakespearean tragedy rather than a lurid, low-rent potboiler.

Revenge is the kind of film that is impossible to recommend to anyone unless you especially despise that person. By the time one has slogged through the whole mess to its ludicrous downbeat climax, Stowe's fate seems rather tame by comparison.

Revenge isn't sweet

[Judge8080 · 6/10 · 5 February 2005]

'Revenge'(1990) Hot shot fighter pilot(Kevin Costner) leaves the service and heads to Mexico for a little fun and sun and stays at the home of an old friend, who just happens to be a ruthless drug lord (played by the legendary Anthony Quinn). Costner falls for Quinns younger, knock out wife,( the gorgeous Madeleine Stowe) and the two end up making love and that turns out to be a decision they will both regret once Quinn learns of it. Not a bad movie,Costner is wooden as always, but he and Stowe are easy to look at. However ,the pace could be better and the "revenge" part of the film is a little tough to endure. Violent film with a truly sad ending.

A bit of a let down.

[LebowskiT1000 · 7/10 · 28 June 2002]

Being directed by Tony Scott is all I needed to know to make me want to see this film. From his other work, I couldn't wait to see this film. Near the beginning of the film I thought: "This is going to be great!", you can definitely tell in the first 5 minutes that this is the same director as "Top Gun". But, then as the story went on, it became less and less interesting.

I thought this was going to be a fun action/thriller, but I would have an extremely hard time calling this an action movie. There is VERY little action in the film, it's pretty much all about the feelings that Kevin Costner and Madeline Stowe's characters have for each other. Then the ending is just horrible! I was SO disappointed in the ending of the film.

I wouldn't recommending going out of your way to see this film, but if you have some free time, then you may want to scope it out. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the film more than I did. Thanks for reading,

-Chris

Violence abounds in this romantic thriller!

[guil12 · 30 December 2001]

Violence seems to be the theme in this film. Not that I'm very fond of violent films. I found this one a bit too long. Produced by it's star, Kevin Costner, not one of my favorite actors, it follows his quest, if you want to call it that, for his true love, played well by Madeleine Stowe, who, along with himself, became victims of revenge for their tryst by none other than Anthony Quinn, a masterful actor in all that he does. And that's the plot. Director Tony Scott did some fine work with this movie along with the excellent photography by Jeffrey Kimball. Many of the scenes had that smoky soft sepia tones. The morning scene in the mountains was awesome, with the fog crawling up the side of the mountain. Quinn was my favorite in this. He, was the villain, and who could blame him. A man stole his wife and had an affair. However, in his revenge upon the lovers, you never doubted his pain and remorse in what he had to do. Bravo, Anthony! Stowe played it very well with just the right amount of sadness and never over the top. You really felt her agony in the latter part of the movie as she was dying. Costner, however, just didn't grab me. I was always aware of his acting. He always has one look on his face. Like he doesn't know what's happening around him. More a role for the likes of Harrison Ford or Brendan Fraser. It was a surprise to see John Legiuzamo in a small but effective role. John, as we all know, has come far, even to appearing solo on Broadway. If you have nothing else to do, watch this movie if only for Quinn and Stowe's performances.

Overlooked Tony Scott Film Before the Hyper-Kinetic Style Kicked In

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 2 November 2014]

Not a Full Fledged Tony Scott Film as it is Presented, More or Less, in a Straight-Forward Style, Minus the Camera and Editing Shenanigans that Became the Director's Trademark. It is Still Violent and Sexy but Seems to Lack Something in the Way the Revenge Motif is Handled.

Kevin Costner is Better than Usual and is Playing a Grittier Character with Some Interest and Manages to Pull it Off. Madeleine Stowe does a Good Job with the Limited Amount of Character Development, and Anthony Quinn Exudes Enough of an Evil Underbelly to Make the Villain Dangerous and Scary.

But it All Doesn't Quite Work. However it is Worth a Watch for Costner's Against Type Portrayal, Some Nastiness, and the Usual Fondness the Director Exerts on the Look and the Cinematography. The Film is Less Satisfying than it Should be and May be a Disappointment to Some that Expect More Razz-Ma-Tazz and Fanciness.

Kevin Costner wrong

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 14 May 2016]

Fighter pilot Michael 'Jay' Cochran (Kevin Costner) retires after 12 years in the Navy. He visits powerful Mexican businessman Tiburon 'Tibby' Mendez (Anthony Quinn). He saved Tibby's life once during a hunting trip. Tibby is reputed to be a crime boss but he dismisses that. Tibby is possessive of his young wife Miryea (Madeleine Stowe). His right hand man Cesar and Jay don't get along. Jay has an affair with Miryea and the murderous Tibby finds out.

Kevin Costner is wrong as Jay. It would work if Kevin Costner is a much darker actor. He's too much of an aw shucks guy. The man isn't an idiot or blind. He has to be self-destructive for what he does. The character may be written that way but Costner doesn't have it in him to pull it off. This is basically a bad romance novel with great people involved. The second half tries to be a hard-boiled revenge movie. The action isn't big enough. This isn't good enough.

Sleeper hit

[rlsullivan · 10/10 · 3 August 2005]

Great film. Great story. Sleeper Tony Scott film with beautiful cinematography. If you like Costner or not, its still compelling. Great, powerful ending and truly romantic story of what love really means to a man. Great secondary characters. Anthony Quinn, Madeiline Stowe (best looking she has ever been) Miguel Ferrar, James Gammon. I saw this film when I was 21 and 15 years later, it still has a strong presence with me. The scenes between Stowe and Costner are great. The cloakroom scene is sexy and romantic and powerful- you may find yourself supplied with more inspiration next time you are with your significant other. Miguel Ferrar is strong here and gives a hint of the character work he will do in the future. James Gammon plays the usual down on his luck cowboy. John Leguizamo has a small but important part- one of his first films and Tony Scott will use him again. Costner is best when he plays Costner. It was one of the first DVDs I ever bought. I can't say enough- rent or buy this film. Its a romantic film but interesting enough for guys as well. Just be ready for your girlfriend to weep at the end.

Missed and Underrated

[SenorLengua · 7/10 · 22 January 2015]

I first saw the movie when I was just starting to understand the complexities of the whole storytelling process. Recently, I watched it again, and remembered much of it the same, though not as fondly as time had caused maturity in watching. But, it still was worth the time.

To begin, apart from Kevin Costner and Anthony Quinn, the rest of the cast was quite impressive. This was during Costner's run of quality movies in the last 1980s and early 1990s. His performance certainly doesn't measure up to The Untouchables, No Way Out or Dances With Wolves, but surpasses The Bodyguard and Robin Hood. Quinn is rather dynamic, and plays his part as an understated drug lord and makes every scene he is in interesting. To those established actors, Madeleine Stowe matches quiet well. This was early in her career, and probably the performance that gave her a name. She was sensual, sexy, and sophisticated, and the love scene really are steamy, in no part to the chemistry.

But what makes this movie really interesting is Tony Scott. I've always thought his style was similar to Michael Mann, yet in many aspects better. This movie was done after Top Gun, but was still early in his career. The visuals and framing were superb, and despite some of the critiques of his numerous closeups, to me it felt consistent in the intimacy he was trying to portray. (He seemed to be similar in The Last Boy Scout, though not as effective.)

Apart from Costner and Quinn, and a small appearance by Sally Kirkland (wonderful little scene) and James Gammon, this was fairly early in the careers of many of the important supporting actors. Thus, there is an inevitable weakness that appears on occasion, yet should not detract from the time taken to watch this movie.

Recommend to watch in a darker room (no/low lights) due to the dark hues Tony Scott uses on his cameras.

I could have died happy without seeing this

[blanche-2 · 5/10 · 7 June 2017]

Kevin Costner stars with Anthony Quinn and Madeline Stowe in "Revenge," from 1990.

Costner is Michael "Jay" Cochran, recently retired from the Navy, who goes on a vacation in Mexico. There, he visits an old friend, Tiburon Mendez (Quinn) - he had once flown him to Alaska on a hunting trip and the two remained friends.

Cochran is unprepared for Tiburon's young beautiful wife Miryea (Stowe). It's not long before the two give in to their mutual attraction to one another. When Mendez learns of the affair, blood will be shed.

This is a very bloody and violent movie, and I admit it's not my thing. I also found it stupid. First off, maybe the Costner character is dumb, but certainly Mendez' wife knows her husband is violent and possessive. He's also surrounded by all kinds of staff. So she has sex with another guy on the property? Then she says she's going on a trip for some reason when her husband will be traveling also. The plan is not to go on a trip but to run off for a tryst with Michael. A ten-year-old could have told her her husband is letting her hang herself.

It gets mighty ugly.

The person whose home I stayed at had already seen this film, liked it, and wanted me to see it. When I spotted Costner's dog, I was concerned and asked if anything happened to it. (For those queasy ones like myself, there is a website for this called doesthedogdie.com). Oh, he couldn't remember. Dog lovers - the dog gets shot. And believe me, the poor thing got off easy. Such a cheap plot point.

A very good cast, but this movie is for macho men who like their women beautiful, their blood red, their violence graphic, and their guns at the ready. I'm not one of them.

Watch the Directors Cut

[Hollywood_Yoda · 8/10 · 1 September 2016]

If you get the chance to see this film, make sure it's the directors cut. At a shorter running time, the story unfolds quicker, but it gets to the point, and makes for a better film. Tony Scott did a tremendous job directing, and the leading cast was great. Kevin Costner and Madeline Stowe make a great on screen couple.

The directors cut does omit much of Anthony Quinn's performance, but what's left is amazing. Miguel Ferrer co- stars as Amador, who helps Costner's Cochran character get Revenge. James Gammon also makes an appearance as a Texan who helps along the way.

Overall, it's an intense film, and a awkward love story. If you can stomach blood and gore, and like to see Kevin Costner, it's a movie for you.

One-Time Watch...

[namashi_1 · 6/10 · 1 June 2010]

Based on the novel by the same name, Tony Scott's 1990 box office washout 'Revenge' is one of those films, that remain bad despite having potential. It's a interesting film, that had the potential to become to a great watch! But the screenplay is so stupid at times, that you ask yourself 'Why Is It Faltering'? '

Revenge' was remade in India twice, 1 with Shahrukh Khan called 'Koyla', and recently with Hrithik Roshan called 'Kites', which also were box office disasters. This subject, which is quite interesting in my opinion, has never found acceptance. A screenplay that never got it's place!

Scott's direction is stylish, Jeffrey L. Kimball's Camera-Work is superb. In acting, Kevin Costner is excellent, it's a performance that works big time! Anthony Quinn is terrific. Madeleine Stowe is a beauty, but does not deliver. John Leguizamo is wasted.

'Revenge' ain't bad, but the result to the screenplay has been outright rejected! For me, as said, it's a One-Time Watch!

Awful. Contains Spoilers

[filmbuff1970 · 4/10 · 29 May 2002]

Revenge on us the viewing public perhaps. I sat through this 2 hour movie and i was waiting for the second act to kick in so that the movie lived up to its title. But Costner never avenges his lovers fate she dies and the movie ends. I was left wondering where the rest of the movie was. If a movie is called Revenge then the hero better get some by the end of the film. I had a choice of seeing this or Black Rain at the cinema thankfully i saw The other brothers movie at the cinema instead.i caught up with this turkey on video. there was one good thing about the film and was its beautiful theme tune. Listen to the cd.dont watch this its awful. 1 out of 10