Per amore e per vendetta

This has the look, feel and dialogue of a cheap made-for-video "thriller". It's bad.

Everything about this movie is poor. The acting is wooden and the script is worse. Even the score is low-rent. It's just cheap. It looks and sounds as though they had about $2.50 to spend, and they blew that on paying the local delivery boy to write the script.

Honestly, this looks like one of those "erotic thrillers" that are churned out by the dozen - the ones designed to appeal to those who really want to watch full-on porn, but can't admit it to themselves, so they watch soft-porn "thrillers" instead. This movie won't even satisfy that undemanding crowd, though - there isn't nearly enough nudity and sex.

There really is very little to say about this production that is positive. The only saving grace is that the twists at the end of the tale are interesting. It's just a pity that the whole enterprise is so poor, and the build-up to the climax equally so, that the impact of the ending is mostly lost.

If this film had been done properly - with a decent-sized cast, more locations, a well-written script, good direction and production - it could have been good. As it stands, it is just a waste of time.

The people posting positive comments must have an agenda. I don't know what that might be - perhaps they are John Lithgow fans, or they fancy the female lead, or maybe they just enjoy the idea of wasting other people's time by recommending rubbish. Whatever, I suggest that everyone reading this should look elsewhere for entertainment; you won't find it here.

I have given this movie three stars, and if anything that is too high. It only rates that much because of the ending - but I suspect that most people will have lost interest long before they reach that point.

Definitely a movie to avoid.

Rating - 3/10

No pun intended - I have already wrote elsewhere that Madchen is german for girl. But in this case, I am talking more about the relationships she has in this movie. Can you really control or call her yours? Generally speaking that is something I would not want to do and say about anyone - even more so when it comes to her.

There are enough twists and turns - to keep you occupied. And Eric Roberts is on top form. We know he is a good actor, but he has been calling it in lately. Well at least it looked like it. Which makes sense, if you are making 20 movies a year - I am exaggerating here of course. Just saying - anyway let's focus on the positive. He really is great in this - as are the others.

Reno Adams (Eric Roberts) escapes from prison with his cellmate Billy Quayle (Richard Edson). He's tracking down his wife Lauren (Mädchen Amick) who set him up to go to prison for 7 years. She is now married to successful banker Paul Harrington (John Lithgow). Paul doesn't know of her past and Reno claims to be her brother. Meanwhile Paul discovers money laundering in his bank. Reno steals Paul's safe and Lauren blames it on kids.

This is trying hard to be a hard-boiled erotic crime thriller. The problem is that writer/director William Curran doesn't have the skills to pull it off. It's like he watched too many old movies and decided to put every cliché into this movie. There is no rooting interest in any of the characters. The movie doesn't take a break from the style. The production looks like a late night TV movie. The best thing is the great cast of actors. They put the material to work but the movie just lacks tension.

Damn, this is the 2nd movie of madchen that she did Con wife or double crossing wife in a YEAR. another movie is " dream lover" . she was true pretty woman in 90s and still is.

anyhow, movie is good. with lots of suspense and thrill. and i really wished that there would be part 2 of this movie. but there is none. because the End was like " oh yeah , there will be next part of this movie".

If you like dark, film noir style revenge thrillers with a twist in the tale, then you will love this gem of a movie. Love, Cheat and Steal stars Madchen Amick, who adds a touch of class to any movie she appears in just oozes sex appeal and is always good to watch, and Eric Roberts, at his smouldering best here, both turn in fine performances. The supporting cast, including John Lithgow who is also always great to watch, Richard Edson, Donald Moffat, David Ackroyd, and Dan O'Herlihy all do well. So if you come across this movie on cable or at the video store give it a chance, you will see a lot worse films than this. Out of 5***** I give Love, Cheat and Steal 4**** This movie is also long over-due a DVD release.