MEASURE OF REVENGE -- A Boring Film About A Spiraling Mom

Review by Paris Jade

Measure of Revenge tells the story of Lillian Cooper (Melissa Leo), a mother of a famous musician who has suddenly died of an overdose. With the help of a drug dealer (Bella Thorne), Lillian pursues answers, justice, and revenge. If reading the synopsis makes you question whether this movie was entertaining, here is your answer: it's not. The pacing is incredibly slow, and none of the characters are likable or relatable. You learn absolutely nothing about Lillian's son before he dies, and he honestly acts like a jerk until his overdose. 

The movie starts with Lillian's son, Curtis (Jake Weary), coming back home from rehab. His mother is so happy to see him again, yet he acts like such a brat towards her. How are you supposed to care that this character is dead when he isn't even that great of a character? After he and his pregnant girlfriend pass from an overdose, Lillian believes that someone intentionally wanted them gone, so she decides to investigate the murder of her son. How does she do this, you ask? She consults his past drug dealer and friend. This definitely won't go badly, right? At first, the drug dealer is unwilling to help Lillian, but as the plot follows, she gives her little tips here and there. As the story continues, you watch as the mother spirals into her investigation, and you can't help but feel bad for her. She literally drives herself mad trying to get to the bottom of who gave her son these drugs. You can't help but wonder if Bella Thorne does terrible movies on purpose. ​​

​The other thing about this movie is that while the characters are bland, the pacing is very slow. No action happens until an hour into the movie. How do you plan to grab an audience's attention if absolutely nothing is happening for the film's first half? Even when something happens, all you can say is "saw that one coming," or "well that happened," then move on like it never occurred. The editing is nothing special, regular cinematography. Just no "wow" factor. Where is the thing that makes the audience's mind blown? Not even the ending was anything special.

So many moments, you just sit there and think, "Well, that was random and weird." Lillian wasn't even on drugs herself, but it sure felt like it! There are also moments when you completely forget that Bella Thorne is in this film. She's on the poster; you'd think her character was essential, but no. You sit through a mom reeling through her son's death, driving herself crazy with some commercial breaks of Bella Thorne either selling or doing drugs. It sounds like the perfect movie for the family! You are absolutely wasting your time, but if you'd like to watch a rollercoaster of a film that, once finished, you question what you just watched, Measure of Revenge is for you. 

Measure of Revenge is now in theaters and on VOD.

Rating: 1/5