Review of Vengeance: A Love Story (2017) by Shane J — 06 Oct 2017

I wanted to like this movie more, I really did. The acting done by Nicolas Cage and Don Johnson was great as always but Deborah Kara Unger's acting could have brought this movie down a star alone. Talitha Bateman (Bethie) did an outstanding job for her role. Anna Hutchinson (Teena) was great in the early scenes and terrible/unbelievable in the scenes after the attack. I think Bateman and Hutchinson could have been so much more if this movie was properly orchestrated. The actors who played police officers felt rushed in some scenes with a lot of obvious preemptive actions; like holstering while rushing into an uncleared room. The choreography felt too scripted. I know, I know.. tiny details that were not important to the story but still annoy me and take away from what should be a powerful scene - right?

The acting done by the 'accused' family was believable and well done except for the angsty/rebel daughter (her role felt unnecessary). I enjoyed the story and what this movie tried to portray. I am glad I watched it despite its flaws and even though the ending felt cheesy.