Bittersüße Vergeltung

Though this is not a GREAT movie, it is a VERY, VERY GOOD movie; and for once Virginia Madsen plays a character which not only do we have some sympathy for, but also very likable as well.

"Bitter Vengeance" tells how an ex-cop pulls off the so-called 'perfect crime', as well as what may be the 'perfect getaway', by faking his own death, and pinning his 'murder' on his stunned wife !!! Usually, Virginia is cast as the accomplice in this type of story, judging from her more recent work, so this is something new and something good for her, for she seems to be more suited to this type of role.

And when she discovers what really happened, she goes hunting down her hubby and his sexy mistress, with some help from friends and a handsome detective.

From her past credits and knowing her abilities, I would not want to be in Bruce Greenwood's shoes at the end.

Once again, it is good to see Virginia Madsen in such a role, and while I am not sure why she took this part, it is my hope that she learns that it is good to play such a role once in a while, and she seeks these roles out more often.

While she has every right to try her talent in new and daring venues, her audience deserves something like this, to be reminded how special she really is.

All in all, a VERY GOOD MOVIE !!!!!!!

This is a very taut film in the beginning and well played by the leading players. Bruce Geenwood, who is always good, does an admirable job throughout until the end. Virginia Madsen starts out good, which is a surprise as I've always thought of her as a Sharon Stone wannabee. But then after a while she turns into this Nancy Drew detective and goes about doing most unbelievable things. Changing from a mousy type into this Charlie's Angels character and does it badly. Once more she is a total disappointment renewing my original thoughts about being a bad actress. Kristen Dalton isn't that much better as the second women in Bruce's life. Just another pretty face, and not much else. Eddie Velez is good as another money hungry thief. Stuart Cooper directed this and I said earlier he got off to an excellent start and then it all got bogged down with ridiculous unbelievable events.

This viewer would have preferred the dame to stay in jail and Greenwood to get away with it all. Oh well, you can't have it all.

The movie starts of well. The story is nicely build up and the characters are portrayed nicely. The story itself is pretty well constructed and has some good thriller elements in it. Nothing too original but enough fine story material to make a good decent movie with. However in the last 30 minutes the movie loses all its credibility when the story becomes unlikely and the characters their actions also become ridicules to follow.

It's a real shame. Not that the movie had really much potential but it still seemed good enough material to make a pleasant, light easy to follow-thriller with. The actors certainly seemed to believe in the movie. It's too bad that after the well build up first halve, the second halve and especially toward the ending of the movie, all logic is abandoned and the movie turns into nothing more than a ridicules and unlikely thriller. All of the sudden several new characters pop-up that not only seem unnecessary but they are also lacking in fundamental things such as likability, credibility and depth. At times I didn't even knew who were the good guys and the bad guys anymore.

Bruce Greenwood does a really good job at portraying his character. Virginia Madsen also does a decent job but her performance is not as memorable. She also isn't always likable enough as the main character. Her actions don't always make her character believable and likable enough. Not Madsen her fault of course, just blame it on the script.

The movie is made without much style and flair. A typical made-for-TV movie. It's not the most exciting or original thriller to watch but it's still all decent enough, aside from the horrible final 30 minutes of the movie.

5/10

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Routine thriller that never rises above mediocrity, although the attractive and competent cast gives some class to an otherwise very modest and forgettable production. Still, it's watchable enough to stay in the two-star rating territory.

Virginia Madsen stars in a story where character Annie marries cop Jack Westford (Bruce Greenwood), who was later fired from the force six years later and begins an affair with an employee. He disappears with stolen money and fakes his death, framing the crime on Annie. As a result, Annie is suspected of killing Jack and stealing the money.

This movie contains the tension of the motion picture, Double Jeopardy, which also stars Bruce Greenwood that portrays a man faking his own death and framing his wife (although this TV movie came first). This TV movie has the mystery and suspense that captivates an audience and keeps the movie's momentum going quick. The tension builds in one scene after the other to its action-packed climax, from the moment Annie finds Jack missing to her struggling to clear her name and find her husband.

The movie may be a little predictable by the time the second half of the story comes along, but overall, it is a nice popcorn movie for the night.

Grade B-