Bitter Vengeance (1994) - Virginia Madsen as Annie Westford

Bitter Vengeance is a TV Movie from 1994, it’s a Thriller and, for fans of Virginia Madsen it’s actually got a bit of a twist, sort of.

Jack (Bruce Greenwood) works as a Security Guard for a bank and part of Jack’s job is to dispose of old money at the bank. But, unhappy with this lot in life he comes up with a plan to steal it instead so that he can run off with the Bank Teller he’s been having an affair with, Isabelle (Kristen Dalton (credited as Kristen Hocking)) and fake his own death to help get away with the crime.

And the twist?

Well, for once Virginia Madsen’s character, Annie, is the victim. (OK, not exactly a twist but for this kind of movie at this point in her career, it kind of is.)
Jack plans on framing Annie for the theft, and his death while he runs off into the sunset and a new life.

And, for a while at least it looks like his plan might just work.

Of course, we know Annie is innocent but she has to prove it to the rest of the characters in the film.

Now. If all of this seems just a little familiar, then you’re right. But you can be excused, Bruce Greenwood did also star in Double Jeopardy, a film where his character (Nick) commits a crime so he pulls a disappearing act leaving his wife Libby (Ashley Judd) to get the blame for his murder while he goes off into a new life.

But, Bitter Vengeance did it first with Double Jeopardy coming out in 1999.

Which did it better? Well, in all honesty I’d argue Bitter Vengeance, even though it’s a lower budget TV movie without Tommy Lee Jones. And, if you do want to see Virginia Madsen and Tommy Lee Jones together on screen then you can always check out the rather excellent Gotham.
Bitter Vengeance is a competent enough film, it’s obviously made for TV, it just has that vibe to it. But it throws its punches well enough and the casting of all the roles is spot on.

Virginia plays the victim well, she must have learnt well from the other actor’s on the receiving end of her normal roles. It’s actually quite fun to see, especially as I rewatched this in the middle of all her other 90’s roles.

Bitter Vengeance also reunites Virginia Madsen with Tim Russ who she starred with in the 80’s classic (?) Fire with Fire, and would also work with again in Star Trek: Voyager further down the line.

Availability:

Nope. You can find a copy on YouTube but it’s low quality (See the captures). Other than that you’re out of luck.

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