This is How Movies Should Be Made

Good start, but then it gets ruined

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

Before Mad Mel, came in blazing some payback of his own, four years, prior, this exciting B gradie fun pic, teased us with some nice push the envelope sex scenes, dome to a nice tune, and blood spilling violence and HOWELL. He's one of my favorite actors who never lacks, a good actor who like others, was dealt a bad blow, such as his loser ex con character, Oscar Bonsetta, out to settle some scores, and carry out a old dying prisoner's wish, to collect this hidden loot, with the aid of a treasure map. When released he tracks down an old enemy warden, now blind and shacked up with hottie, Severance (the super charged sex scenes with her and Howell are unforgettable). Parading as someone else, so his blinded arch enemy warden doesn't catch on, Howell settles into this seaside hotel, run by the couple, quite nicely. Howell really plays the loser well, and I must say, it's bad hand of fate, was a nice, admirable, shock point, and yes there are a few thrills and twists, that makes Payback, a nice little orchestrated B grade with style, not to mention, a cool shootout opening, wonderfully done, by a director I admire, who like Mark L Lester, makes addictive bubble gum pics. It's not just Howell, that's good, but honestly, his performance was one of the best. There's a real nasty moment too, in a hate fueled scene, between Howell and Richard Burgi (Hostel 2, Friday 13th remake) who plays the warden's cowboy, cop brother, that for me was the standout scene. And yes, Severance here, is her pretty hottest. This whole movie runs so nicely, and is definitely worth it's weight in view, where the sex scenes, may seem overlong, but man are they hot.

Oscar Bonsetter (C. Thomas Howell) is a punk sent to prison for a shootout in a convenient store. He promises dying elderly prisoner Mac to avenge his death against the sadistic guard Gully (Marshall Bell). In return, he tells Oscar of a hidden stash of cash. Both Gully and Oscar are after the cash but neither has the complete picture. Gully tortures Oscar but he never submits. Oscar is released and finds Gully now blind. Oscar is also attracted to Gully's waitress wife Rose (Joan Severance).This has the basics of a good Hitchcockian thriller. It's three characters with their own agenda and secrets in a seacliff diner. The style is too much exploitation B-movie. The writing is not necessarily well done but it's certainly better than most lower-rate erotic thrillers.

Take this one home on your next visit to the Video Store. If you are offended by "hot sex", you may reconsider, but the drama is excellent, and unlike a lot of films, the ending does not drag on. It is exciting, and appropriately concise.After seeing this, I'm looking out for more Joan Severance flicks!

Surprisingly good: script with twist (true suspense), good acting by C.Thomas & Joan Severence. Direction was particularly good.