Vengeance (2020)

Directed by: Richard John Taylor | 74 minutes | crime | Actors: Billy Murray, Leslie Grantham, Noel McAlley, Crissy Rock, Jayson Wheatley

Richard John Taylor is a film maker. Quantity is more important to him than quality. At least when you see his oeuvre (and the accompanying IMDB scores). The roaring quote on the cover of ‘Vengeance’ also indicates what you can expect: a cross between ‘Harry Brown’ and ‘Death Wish’: a revenge fantasy with an older man in the lead.

‘Vengeance’ revolves around Eric Williams (Billy Murray). This man has been on the run for 27 years from a murder he didn’t commit. He doesn’t want to be in jail and tries to keep a low profile as much as possible. When his estranged daughter is attacked in London and the police fail, Eric vows revenge. He decides to trace the perpetrators and punish them. Because Eric is elderly, he asks his old buddies for help.

The comparison with ‘Death Wish’ and ‘Harry Brown’ is understandable. Both films revolve around revenge and an older man plays the lead role. That also applies to ‘Vengeance’, but this film is rather sparse in terms of action (read: that costs money). This choice resulted in a slow drama film in which there is a lot of talk, but where very little is actually said. Characters explain what they are doing or have done. Eric is also a rather annoying character. This gritty fellow constantly complains about ‘youth’ and recalls memories of times long gone that were better. Then according to him.

Besides an annoying protagonist, you have to make do with a cast full of amateurs. The acting is very stiff and the dialogues are downright weak. The bad camera work (the camera shakes continuously) doesn’t make it any better. There is too much wrong with ‘Vengeance’ to qualify this film as a recommendation. With a tighter story, better designed characters and its own face, this film could have been something. In its current form, this has become the umpteenth disposable item from Taylor. A filling of his filmography, but not an asset for the film lover. Unfortunate.