The desire for vengeance is one of the most elementary human inclinations. Often even the most peaceful among us rejoices when someone gets what he or she deserved. The distinction between victim and malefactor can easily blur; the revenge is no longer sweet but becomes a bitter, tiresome contest to see who is the last one standing.

In Tony Scott's new film Revenge, Jay Cochran (Kevin Costner) has spent most of his post-Vietnam years flying jets for the Navy, and now he is ready to relax and take some time to enjoy the simpler pleasures of life. He wants to go hunting with his dog, walk on the beach, and play tennis with old friends. He has received an invitation from his old friend Tiburon Mendez (Anthony Quinn) to stay in Mexico.

Cochran has not seen Tiburon for some time and is struck by Tiburon's ferocious temper, loving generosity and underground political power. Cochran is also struck by Tiburon's young wife, Miryea (Madeline Stowe). She is lonely among the rich, unhappy with her husband, and needing companionship. Their attraction is too great; Cochran and Miryea tangle themselves in a series of steamy encounters.

The viewer's sympathies begin to fog when Tiburon is shown experiencing the crushing torment of his wife's infidelity. Far from being the emotionless Godfather, Tiburon exacts a revenge that even the most loving spouses might wish for if they could get away with it.

Tiburon reacts with mafia-like fervor, invading Cochran and Miryea's mountain cabin in the silence of night. Cochran is beaten and left for dead, and Miryea is facially scarred and given to a whorehouse.

Cochran is befriended and aided by a strange assortment of good Samaritans who help him recover and fuel his resolve: find Miryea and counterattack Tiburon.

Tiburon's retaliation does not set him free, but he must react to disloyalty from two people he loved. Tiburon's "tit for tat" policy did not extend only to injury; before the affair he was incredibly generous with Cochran, and the two enjoyed each other's gifts. Even after Cochran is left for dead, Tiburon lovingly wears the flight jacket Cochran gave him. Cochran becomes the emotionless one, a vengeance machine aided by his own gang.

Two-time Oscar winner Quinn is excellent as Tiburon Mendez. An enthusiastic friend as well as enemy, Quinn gains sympathy for his character that was probably not intended by the script (the name Tiburon means "shark"). Yet his distaste for the fight in the end makes him the hero of the story. "Perhaps we both deserve to die," he says. He reminds others that his violence was prompted by his wife and best friend's unforgivable infidelity. he requests that Cochran ask his forgiveness.

Costner receives compassion not for Cochran, but from his past films and characters. He moves easily from Iowa corn farmer (Field of Dreams) to hell-bent Vietnam veteran. Costner's amiable understated personality begs adoration from women and respect from men. His Cochran is friendly and self-assured, but his character seems to get lost in his quest for Miryea and blood. For example, in one scene he tortures a man by throwing him into a pool while bound in a chair.

Director Tony Scott (Top Gun) uses tactics he knows will sell. Drawing from his television and commercial directing experience, Scott successfully gives the viewer what he/she wants.

Revenge has all the key elements of Scott's earlier successes, but the line between vengeance and atrocity is thin to begin with and soon disappears altogether. It is unclear which acts to abhor and which to applaud, who is the hero and who is the villain.