rating:
(out of
4 stars)United States; 1999
Directed by Brian Helgeland; produced by Bruce Davey, Jerry Bruckheimer; screenplay by Brian Helgeland, Terry Hayes
Starring Mel Gibson, Maria Bello, Deborah Kara Unger, Gregg Henry, Lucy Liu, James Coburn, David Paymer, Kris Kristofferson
'Payback' is an action film with some dark humor, skilfully made and written, with a performance of Mel Gibson who seems to have a lot of fun while being a completely depressing character. It's better and funnier than most action films, which is not that hard to imagine since the film is written and directed by the screenwriter of 'L.A. Confidential'.
Gibson wants revenge, or actually, he just wants his 70,000 dollars back, after he was left for dead by partner in crime Val (Gregg Henry) and wife Lynn (Deborah Kara Unger). Now he is back, meaner than ever, and nothing will stop him. Val has used the money to buy himself back into a criminal organization called the Syndicate. His ticket in is Rosie (Maria Bello), an expensive prostitute he used to drive.
Gibson is a reliable mean guy, with the right kind of charm to add humor to most of the bloody scenes. His search for the money leads him all the way up to the big bosses played by James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson. Lucy Liu is the kind of prostitute that likes it rough; she is also part of the group of people who originally owned Gibson's money. Detectives Hicks and Leary and a small time drugdealer (David Paymer) would also like that money.
The film benefits from this many bad guys, since Gibson can use every little trick there is. It gets never dull because danger is always lurking around the corner. Even the relationship with Rosie is used in the right way. It is fun to see a film where characters are actually doing what they are saying, including shooting someone after just one warning. 'Payback' is not great, but it's entertainment and delivers what it promises to deliver.