Review of Eye for an Eye (1996) by Johnny T — 05 Jan 2017

Eye for an Eye is a dramatic thriller with a great story of justice and revenge. It is a shame that lawyers use breaches in the laws to defend scums like the character Robert Doob, but that is the sad reality. The praiseworthy attitude of Karen McCann is an exception but perfectly understood in the situation. The acting is excellent and the plot is timeless. Schlesinger, working from a script by Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa, gives the film a zippy pace and a natural momentum as direct as a hot knife negotiating a butter stick. Schlesinger is also still canny at casting. Field is best at one-mindedness, whether her goal is union organizing, getting the story or avenging her child's death. Kiefer Sutherland is excellent in all his villainy even if his performance is limited. Ed Harris and Joe Mantegna show wonderful performances in their brief roles, but Sally Field carries the film through as a woman obsessed with getting even with this psychopath on the loose. Harris, although he doesn't get much to do here, is fine as a father who mourns his daughter's death and fears losing his wife to this new obsession for vengeance. Sutherland, who always seems sleazy even when he's trying to play a nice guy, is perfect as a conscienceless monster. With a target as nasty as he, when Karen wants to take the law into her own hands, you can't help thinking, Go to it.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).