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Grief is a painful thing. When the loss is great, it can take over everything, making everything else in life seem unnecessary. And in the thriller Measure of Revenge, one grieving mother takes her overwhelming grief and turns it into a quest to get justice for her son.
Measure of Revenge stars Melissa Leo as Lillian Cooper, a legendary Broadway actress whose whole world comes crumbling down when her musician son, Curtis (Jake Weary), dies unexpectedly after a successful stint in rehab. Though his death is ruled an accidental overdose, Lillian doesn’t believe that there was anything accidental about it. Her search for answers begins with her son’s dealer, Taz (Bella Thorne), who reluctantly helps Lillian figure out who may have been responsible for giving Curtis a lethal dose of a dangerous drug. And while planning her final show, Lillian also plans her revenge.
As Lillian tracks down her son’s friends and acquaintances, trying to put the pieces together, she has to do so while also being confronted with plans for tribute albums and concert tours. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that her dead son is going to make a lot of people a lot of money. And with a little bit of information from Taz and one incredibly convenient fact-finding mission, everything comes together all too easily—allowing Lillian to start devising her plan of vengeance.
Along the way, Lillian finds strength in the roles she’s played through the years—the strong characters like Hester Prynne and Hedda Gabler and Lady Macbeth, who stood up for themselves and their loved ones, despite the obstacles in their way. This often plays out in ghostly images and flashbacks of the actress in various costumes for the various roles, reciting lines to inspire and encourage Lillian as she continues on her mission. It’s all very Shakespearian—yet it often comes off as awkward and even silly instead of haunting and dramatic.
At the heart of this film, there’s a tense story about a grieving mother who borrows strength from the characters she’s played on stage to avenge her son. But the mystery is a little too simple, and the execution feels a little too cheesy.
The idea behind Measure of Revenge is definitely a clever one—and there are moments when that comes shining through. Melissa Leo has a lot to offer to her role, too. But it fails to come together in the strong, suspenseful, eerie way that the filmmakers intended.
Measure of Revenge opens in select theaters and on demand on March 18, 2022.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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