Synopsis: It tells the exploits of a serial killer who is being hunted by the police. The film starts with his prison and then switches to flashbacks.
Appraisal: In "Vengeance Is Mine" we are led in a tour of sex and violence with an amoral character who shows no sympathy for other people, and, in fact, doesn't care much for himself either. It is not true that he has no feelings; it is just that he has defined himself in such a way that these feelings cannot be a part of his personality. The story has, as a counterpoint, the character of his Catholic father, who is his perfect opposite. Both characters are ultimately repugnant and could be thought of as exemplifying imbalances of human behavior. I am forbidden to delve into the details of both characters, for it is part of the movie fruition. The film is structured basically into four time frames: (1) the present time, when he is in the custody of the police; (2) before he committed the first two crimes that led the police to look for him; (3) on the day of these crimes; and (4) (the longer section) after those two crimes, when he embarks on a killing spree, knowing that the police is after him. As is usual in the films of this director, he takes a dark, grim look at men and women, who are basically puppets of their animal urges, and/or the dire social constrictions they live under. This pitiless stance on humanity is translated masterfully into his terse, energetic mise-en-scene. The leading performance is no less than shattering; the whole cast is admirable. This film ranks as the 12th position in my 1979 list.
Rating: 73
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