Macho Tough Guys Are Back!

by Jason R. Hewlett

It's been a while since we've seen a character in a movie who kicks some butt! Lately we've had to contend with lawyer types or middle-age romantic wannabes or guys like that. Not that that's a bad thing mind you but we've been suffering a glut of non-testosterone since Mel Gibson's last film ("Lethal Weapon 4") and, now with his latest offering "Payback" we get to see some action. Not a full on shoot-em-up but a very dark, quirky bit of hard boiled crime drama full of guys who talk tough, smoke a lot, and cause rough, bodily harm to one another. This too is not a bad thing.

"Payback" is the story of a small time hood named Porter (Gibson) who is out to reclaim $70,000 which was stolen from him by an old "friend," played by Gregg Henry. Porter is shot and left for dead during the heist so he's out for a little payback and is willing to beat, shoot, and/or intimidate his way through anyone who tries to jip him out of his money. For just $70,000 you say!?! Sure, it's not that large of a sum but it says something about Porter. He's a kind of simple guy but not one to be underestimated. For a small time hood he's got a big time criminal mind and an attitude to boot. Gibson plays the character as a quiet tough guy but he's likable enough despite the acts of violence he inflicts on other people. It doesn't hurt that the people he kills have it coming.

As for the film's quirkiness: it may be an acquired taste. The movie has a sick sense of humor and most of it is pretty masochistic. It's the kind of stuff you almost feel bad for laughing at. Take for example Lucy Alexis Liu's (of T.V.'s "Ally McBeal") kinky hooker Pearl. She gets off sexually from physical violence. Some of her bits are pretty funny but if your not into that kind of thing: watch out! Probably the film's darkest moment comes when the bad guys (all well played by William Devane, Kris Kristofferson, and James Coburn) torture Gibson by bashing his toes in with a hammer. This bit made me cringe and my friend Colleen actually had to cover her eyes. However, the bad guys get what they deserve in an abrupt but satisfying conclusion.

The film is shot in blue hues and a very "bled-out" look. It's got a nice 70's crime drama look and feel to it. The script by director Brian Hegeland and co-writer Terry Hayes moves fast and is full of good dialogue and some fun action scenes. A lot of critics have slammed the movie for it becoming a kind of zany free for all in the last hour but I didn't find that at all. It felt very consistent to me and never sold out to become a run of the mill thriller. I'd recommend it to anyone into a rough night out at the movies.

7.5 out of 10!