Movie- Revanche

Revanche was nominated for best foreign film for the 2008 Oscars (held in 2009). It did not win.

Set in Vienna, Tamara works as a hooker in a brothel. Working there also is Alex, a handyman/ bouncer/ janitor. the two fall in love, though that is something they need to keep secret to not run afoul of the pimp who seems to own Tamara and run the brothel.

The two plan their escape and a new life, but run into some snags that hit on a visceral and emotional level, and Alex must now start his new life alone, while seeking some measure of revenge.

But his revenge is not against just one man, though his ire is focused on that one man, but is more against the world that caused he and Tamara to be caught in this web of vice, a world that does not offer many choices when someone tires to get away from it. It also a self-loathing that moves Alex, that stems from the bad choices he made, that stems from his inability to protect Tamara, and act a human.

Alex no longer resides in Vienna, but in a rural area, with his grandfather. The scenes do contrast the grit of the rough Vienna Alex knew and the cleanliness of the countryside. This mirrors the corruption of Alex, and his want to become better, which puts him at odds with his own vengeance. The settings mirror the battle raging in Alex.

Revanche (2008) is a movie with many layers, but it is also very human and entertaining. It is after watching it that you get a sense of the filmmakers skill, but watching it you enjoy the humanity of the characters. The acting by Johannes Krisch as Alex and Irina Potapenko as Tamara is top notch, as is the supporting cast. All in all an excellent movie, and one that I will remember.