Review by Doug Cooper
Stars Johannes Krisch, Ursula Strauss, Andreas Lust,
Irina Potapenko, Johannes Thanheiser, Hanno Poschi,
Magdalena Kropiunig, Toni Slama
Written by Gotz Spielmann
Certification UK 15 | Australia MA
Runtime 121 minutes
Directed by Gotz Spielman
Johannes Krisch plays Alex, a moustachioed thug cum gofer for a red light district Viennese crime boss. Alex is in love with attractive prostitute Tamara (Potapenko) but wants a better life for the two of them. So he decides to rob a bank and his paramour accompanies him, sitting in the car while he is conducting the crime. A friendly policeman Robert (Lust) approaches and chats to her. When Alex returns with the booty he hightails it away with Tamara with Robert shooting at the car, killing Tamara in the process.
Alex is filled with remorse and goes to stay at his grandfather's farm in the countryside. Susanna (Strauss), who lives nearby, pays regular visits to the old man and soon strikes up a bond with Alex. It turns out however that she is married to policeman Robert and is desperate for a baby. When Alex discovers this the seeds of revenge are shown. The scene is set for a good drama then and on the whole Revanche delivers. This subtitled tale from Austria is fast paced and effective in the early stages depicting life in the red light district. It's harsh terrain – the girls are constantly endangered by their clients and are regularly hit on by their slimy boss too, but Alex is always on hand to protect them. He and Tamara have a strong physical relationship and both Krisch and Potapenko give committed performances.
But when Alex moves to the countryside it slows down considerably and becomes a far more contemplative affair. The tension subsides as the film delves into the feelings and interior lives of the protagonists, becoming more of a character study. It still holds the attention though and is ultimately a satisfying and rewarding effort if one is patient.