Revanche

Despite its French title—translated as Revenge—this is an Austrian film, a crackerjack psychological thriller written and directed by Götz Spielmann, who builds tension with icy precision and a coolly matter-of-fact tone. Alex (Johannes Krisch), a brooding ex-con from a small village who works as a flunky at a shabby Vienna brothel, is having an affair with the prostitute Tamara (Irina Potapenko), a Ukrainian refugee, but the pair must keep it secret from their burly employer, to whom Tamara is deeply in debt. Eventually, Alex decides to rob his hometown bank in order to gain their freedom from the thug, but the heist is interrupted by an earnest young cop, who fires at their getaway car and accidentally kills Tamara. Grief-stricken, Alex takes refuge at his grandfather's farm to plot his revenge, which involves the policeman's wife, who's heartbroken over a recent miscarriage. An atmosphere of foreboding suffuses Spielmann's film, which unfolds at a deliberate pace, methodically constructing a restricted but convincing world of pain and confusion through small, telling details. Ultimately, Revanche delivers a message about personal responsibility, while also providing a satisfying, if not terribly surprising, final twist. But it's the quiet ratcheting up of fatalistic dread that makes it remarkable. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include director Gotz Spielmann's award-winning short film “Foreign Land” (45 min.), an interview with Spielmann (36 min.), a “making-of” featurette (36 min.), a booklet featuring an essay by critic Armond White, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an impressive suspenseful drama.] (F. Swietek)