119 reviews
There is not much of anything original or unpredictable going on with this movie. It is pretty much your standard revenge flick, where the bad guys get off in court, and they are dealt with via vigilante justice.
There is one bright spot in the film, though. That is the performance of Talitha Bateman as the daughter. She acts in a relaxed, natural manner that is totally believable. In fact, she shows more acting ability than some of the other characters in the movie. But to be fair, there are a number of caricature roles in the movie that aren't very demanding of the actors (for example, the bad guys and their mother).
Bateman is young, so I hope she can find some better scripts than this in the future, and continues to grow as an actress. At this point, she reminds me of how Saoirse Ronan was at the same age. Ronan developed into a very good actress. I hope Bateman can do the same.
There is one bright spot in the film, though. That is the performance of Talitha Bateman as the daughter. She acts in a relaxed, natural manner that is totally believable. In fact, she shows more acting ability than some of the other characters in the movie. But to be fair, there are a number of caricature roles in the movie that aren't very demanding of the actors (for example, the bad guys and their mother).
Bateman is young, so I hope she can find some better scripts than this in the future, and continues to grow as an actress. At this point, she reminds me of how Saoirse Ronan was at the same age. Ronan developed into a very good actress. I hope Bateman can do the same.
Initially I had believed this to be just yet another mass-produced movie that Nicolas Cage pops up in time after time. However, director Johnny Martin actually proved me wrong here and it turned out that this was one of the better movies that Nicolas Cage was in.
Now, I will say that it wasn't because Nicolas Cage put on an outstanding performance, although he had upped his game here in comparison to what he usually does. No, it is the storyline and the brutality of the movie that made it so good.
As for the acting, well as I just said then Nicolas Cage did perform surprisingly well here, although it was not his top performance. However, the movie was really carried excellently by Talitha Bateman and Don Johnson. Talitha Bateman really has potential for a great acting career. And as for Don Johnson, then it felt like that particular role was custom made for him, because he was simply superb in this movie.
"Vengeance: A Love Story" is a brutal movie in a way that doesn't cross the line and become tacky or sleazy. It is the nature of the storyline that makes it brutal and does leave something in the audience once the movie has ended.
I was more than genuinely entertained with the outcome of this movie, and it was a positive surprise that the movie was so much more better than I had expected it to be. So if you are a fan of Nicolas Cage, and actually if you aren't as well, then you should do take the time to sit down and watch "Vengeance: A Love Story", because it is well worth the time and effort.
Now, I will say that it wasn't because Nicolas Cage put on an outstanding performance, although he had upped his game here in comparison to what he usually does. No, it is the storyline and the brutality of the movie that made it so good.
As for the acting, well as I just said then Nicolas Cage did perform surprisingly well here, although it was not his top performance. However, the movie was really carried excellently by Talitha Bateman and Don Johnson. Talitha Bateman really has potential for a great acting career. And as for Don Johnson, then it felt like that particular role was custom made for him, because he was simply superb in this movie.
"Vengeance: A Love Story" is a brutal movie in a way that doesn't cross the line and become tacky or sleazy. It is the nature of the storyline that makes it brutal and does leave something in the audience once the movie has ended.
I was more than genuinely entertained with the outcome of this movie, and it was a positive surprise that the movie was so much more better than I had expected it to be. So if you are a fan of Nicolas Cage, and actually if you aren't as well, then you should do take the time to sit down and watch "Vengeance: A Love Story", because it is well worth the time and effort.
- paul_haakonsen
- May 22, 2017
- Permalink
I can see why this film did note score well as it has lots of fall downs, but as a film its worth watching. If you accept the fact its all been done before and it panders to both cage and Johnson's ego's you will enjoy it, the daughter and mother will make you smile, chuckle and cry, cry a lot. Cage is trying to stay relevant in films but is still acting like its 2000. Don Johnson, 1991, love them both as icons. Once you admit that this is a Nick Cage produced film and enjoy it as a story, it actually is a good film.
- stevewaller-09652
- Mar 19, 2017
- Permalink
I'm not a movie critic but I did practice law for 41 years. The courtroom scenes in this movie exceed the outermost boundaries of stupidity. This is sloppy, incompetent and irresponsible writing. A piece of trash.
It's impossible to point a finger at the person responsible with two screenwriters fiddling with a novel.
Disgusting.
Vengeance: A Love Story is based on the book Rape: A Love Story by Joyce Carol Oates, and it makes a difference. Cage plays John Dromoor – a Niagara Falls hero cop and Purple-Heart-awarded Desert Storm veteran, who takes a personal interest in a case when a young single mother is gang-raped. While the story doesn't look quite original and the vigilante cop theme isn't even an strange role for Cage, this movie is not just another run-of-the-mill vigilante movie. True, it focuses more on the vigilante part than the book (probably the reason for the change in titles), but this is a story about rape all the same, not vengeance.
As such, it's darker, slower but also better compared to similar movies. The story is well put together, though the aftermath and the effects of the lives of Teena and Bethie could have been a little more fleshed out, and similarly some of the other main characters, notably the judge and Don Johnson's lawyer character.
The acting is good. Cage is good, his usual, but slower, a bit more withdrawn. Don Johnson's performance as an unscrupulous lawyer oozes slime (good role-casting) and Talitha Bateman puts on a good performance as the daughter. Sadly, the final third falls quite flat, and I blame mostly the title. If you make a movie about vengeance, than put a bit more effort in it. While more realistic than Cage's usual wise- cracking one-liners, the movie builds up to a momentum that never really arrives, as he coldly and efficiently disposes of the perps. But overall, this is a decent movie, just don't expect a blood soaked, bullet-riddled vigilante movie.
As such, it's darker, slower but also better compared to similar movies. The story is well put together, though the aftermath and the effects of the lives of Teena and Bethie could have been a little more fleshed out, and similarly some of the other main characters, notably the judge and Don Johnson's lawyer character.
The acting is good. Cage is good, his usual, but slower, a bit more withdrawn. Don Johnson's performance as an unscrupulous lawyer oozes slime (good role-casting) and Talitha Bateman puts on a good performance as the daughter. Sadly, the final third falls quite flat, and I blame mostly the title. If you make a movie about vengeance, than put a bit more effort in it. While more realistic than Cage's usual wise- cracking one-liners, the movie builds up to a momentum that never really arrives, as he coldly and efficiently disposes of the perps. But overall, this is a decent movie, just don't expect a blood soaked, bullet-riddled vigilante movie.
- rik-vanoijen
- Mar 29, 2017
- Permalink
- faithless4734
- Apr 14, 2021
- Permalink
I enjoyed his, I love a good revenge film. Some great performances from the cast and Nic actually held back a lot and have a reserved performance. He's straight to the point no messing about BANG! Sorted. Liked that approach.
The victim is also gorgeous. The rape scene could have been a bit more visual to really make you hate the rapists more. .......but thankfully was brief and was still more than enough to anger and disgust the viewer......ready for the revenge. Course scenes are a bit far fetched but sadly this crap happens. I'd have liked to have seen the lawyer get his cumuppence also. Better than usual revenge, vigilant cop film. No the most original but a great pay off. Worth a watch......forget the haters. Worth it just to witness yet another o Nic Cages hair do(n'ts)
The victim is also gorgeous. The rape scene could have been a bit more visual to really make you hate the rapists more. .......but thankfully was brief and was still more than enough to anger and disgust the viewer......ready for the revenge. Course scenes are a bit far fetched but sadly this crap happens. I'd have liked to have seen the lawyer get his cumuppence also. Better than usual revenge, vigilant cop film. No the most original but a great pay off. Worth a watch......forget the haters. Worth it just to witness yet another o Nic Cages hair do(n'ts)
There is a new rash of screenwriters out there who have never read a book or seen a play. They no nothing about plot structure. They don't know that a story needs 3 acts. The don't know about character development or arc. They don't know what subtext is. They don't know the 7 basic plots. And they definitely have no idea what a 3rd act is.
Everything they know about writing a movie is from watching movies and they don't understand what they're watching. In this particular movie they thought all they needed something bad to happen so the good guy could start going after the bad guys and then you just stop and that's your end. Unbelievably shallow attempt at storytelling and the writer wants us to believe there is no such thing as DNA evidence. If there was DNA evidence then this movie couldn't have been made. Well, DNA evidence exists and this movie shouldn't.
And what the hell ever happened to Nicholas Cage? He used pick interesting roles and create something interesting a memorable? Why did he decide to suck?
Everything they know about writing a movie is from watching movies and they don't understand what they're watching. In this particular movie they thought all they needed something bad to happen so the good guy could start going after the bad guys and then you just stop and that's your end. Unbelievably shallow attempt at storytelling and the writer wants us to believe there is no such thing as DNA evidence. If there was DNA evidence then this movie couldn't have been made. Well, DNA evidence exists and this movie shouldn't.
And what the hell ever happened to Nicholas Cage? He used pick interesting roles and create something interesting a memorable? Why did he decide to suck?
- jburtonprod-802-759029
- Jan 15, 2018
- Permalink
Enter, Nic Cage, been the butt of several jokes, but when you sit down and watch this movie, hes totally different, he does not feel weird and quirky, hes solid, like a rock. Empty almost and hating what hes doing but you can tell he needs to do it to sleep better. Not a wonderful film, but definitely worth a watch if you hate scumbags.
- filmnerdx-24796
- Mar 25, 2018
- Permalink
well i was very pleased to see this very good movie i don't know why some people don't like it. this is a good thriller and take care of your nerve when you watch it because i wanted so much that the bad guys died and the lawyer too but i will not tell what happens you have to watch it if you like good thrillers that they don't do anymore, this is not an action movie, nicolas cage is patient and quiet but the woman who play in it make a very good acting with her daughter
- bouhanamarc
- Apr 18, 2017
- Permalink
Cage is an enjoyable actor to watch no matter what movie he's in. He plays the strong silent cop here and completely does the job. I've seen him play the recovering addict, the weasel, the flamboyant villain, done it all and each time he makes the roll believable. Don Johnson as usual is fantastic as well. I can't believe how old he is, looks amazing. He plays the high profile sleaze lawyer and he owns the role. All the actors in my opinion perform their roles to a T, unfortunately the movie itself is not great, but it could have been. The directing, or the story, maybe both come off week. The problem is there is no real tension as Cage too easily walks through and obtains vengeance. There should have been some level of stress projected to the viewer, a sense that he will be identified or might fail, that the criminals might escape or turn the tables on him, but alas the writer or director chose not to pursue that angle in the movie. It could have been much much better. That being said, no matter how bad a movie, I always enjoy Cage, he does a movie good.
- Toocooltoobefooled
- Jan 18, 2018
- Permalink
Acting is very good. Nicolas though is severely underused. Wasted even. The movie starts off very promising, like a space rocket taking off. The plot advances and just when you expect the movie to jump into high gear it only sputters, fizzles, and rapidly loses altitude. Finally showing to be a dud with a script that simply goes nowhere. Feels like a made for TV cop show movie. The failing is not the actors. They were all very good. The script is to blame.
If you have time to kill with nothing else to watch then OK. Watch it for the acting. Otherwise, pass.
If you have time to kill with nothing else to watch then OK. Watch it for the acting. Otherwise, pass.
- tony-146-695626
- Mar 28, 2017
- Permalink
- Richard_Dominguez
- Mar 21, 2017
- Permalink
The writer/ Director must think there is no audience of this film has an IQ north of 60.
And they are so disconnected with the real world for some reason.
Anyway, it is bad, really bad
1 star for Nicolas Cage 1 star for Nicolas Cage 's action scene 1 star is for Anna Hutchison and Dikran Tulaine
And they are so disconnected with the real world for some reason.
Anyway, it is bad, really bad
1 star for Nicolas Cage 1 star for Nicolas Cage 's action scene 1 star is for Anna Hutchison and Dikran Tulaine
- FlashCallahan
- Apr 1, 2017
- Permalink
I'm being generous with a score of three, mainly due to the acting of Talitha Bateman. Nick Cage is about as convincing a cop as his hair color. He plays a vigilante detective chasing down a gang of rapists. Actually chasing down isn't quite the right term. He appears, by magic, in some scenes, almost at will, always being in the right place at the right time and we never see how he actually gets there - possibly by accessing worm-holes. Everything about this movie is bad; the script is atrocious; there is no character development, the whole cast is guilty of overacting, or being dull as dishwater, some are just wrongly cast and bad actors. To prove my point, the second-best actor in the movie was a dead cat. The entire story line is not believable, the court process is clearly directed by someone who has never been inside a court and it has no credibility. The make-up is shocking, sets are under-budgeted. It looks as though all the money went into Don Johnson's wardrobe, hair and make-up. The extras are shocking, even by non-actors. Watch for the lady reporter / photographer in beige, when the mother of our bunch of losers speaks to the press. It looks like she's never held a camera before. Despite the crime being as serious as it was, it attracts about 8 reporters and some guy with a 1970's TV camera. Despite there being a vigilante out there, none of the crimes are investigated. I know Nicholas Cage is still a credible actor, but he's going to have to start choosing better scripts - I can only suppose that he's broke. I guess Nicholas must be, given the coffee cup advertisement placement for Ikea. I get the feeling Don Johnson got the Harley. In short, if you are looking for a good film, with good script, acting, story line, make-up, lighting, editing.... don't choose this one. There is nothing new about this story, nothing interesting about it - I just cannot recommend it to anyone. Even the title is wrong - there is no love story? Maybe they just wanted to get extra movie-goers. The worst crime about this movie, is that it was ever made.
- makka-00955
- Mar 28, 2017
- Permalink
This film had a great story/writing, decent directing, but was ruined by the slow pace and, well... Nicholas Cage. It seems he struggled to act in this one. I'm used to him being wild and crazy - overly for that matter. Here he was boring and stale. Some parts needed to be edited out to pick up the slow pace of this film, but Cage and pace aside, it wasn't that bad. It's a 6/10 from me
- Top_Dawg_Critic
- Jul 12, 2017
- Permalink
This movie showed great potential in the very beginning. There were good characters and great plot development. Then it just fell flat. I guess the vengeance was supposed to be due to the connection between the detective and the victim, but I never felt any connection between them. The actual vengeance was poorly developed and the ending was pretty lame. There are better movies to watch.
- jsaus63304
- Jan 21, 2018
- Permalink
It's a story that's been done alot but this one is gritty and dark. I enjoyed it alot. Cage plays the role well, supporting cast are strong. I'm sure if you nit pick at it, you'll find a few questionable plot holes but this is simply a revenge film. A really good one. I don't get the hate surrounding it. If you want a simple plot, action /revenge story then this is it.
- twanster-97655
- May 8, 2020
- Permalink
First of all great performnce from Talitha Bateman but its a shame that Nick is almost invisible. The character development or chemistry isn't deep enough and the first part is too long while the second part is too short. Camera is ok, but the editing is really ruining the movie and makes it look rather pointless. There are some strong emotional scenes though and overall it kept me interested till the end. Not bad, not great.
I love Nicolas Cage. He has had some great movies and some duds because he marches to a different drummer. The only reason for this movie to exist is because someone was in love with "Teena". And Don Johnson did it because he could wear some nice suits and drive off on a Harley. Don't waste your time.
- bikinibeach
- Mar 21, 2017
- Permalink
- DaRealestBlack
- Jan 7, 2018
- Permalink
Forget about the bad reviews...It is one of the best Nicholas Cage's movies.
- paulgesh-03409
- May 7, 2020
- Permalink