Having appeared in numerous low-budget action movies during the 1980s, Charles Bronson apparently sought a project that would allow him to showcase his acting abilities. It seems he’d have been better off simply making another "Death Wish" film instead. The movie, based on a true story from 1969, casts Bronson as Jock Yablonski, a United Mine Workers union representative. He initially shows deference to union president Tony Boyle (Wilford Brimley), who is immediately portrayed as an unscrupulous figure. As Jock and his wife Margaret (Ellen Burstyn) live comfortably, a mining disaster claims eighty lives. Boyle then arrives in the grieving West Virginia town and defends the coal company’s position against the miners. Yablonski finds himself ostracized and decides he'd had enough. He announces his candidacy for union president and begins campaigning. In response, Boyle orders an assassination of his former associate. The film shifts focus to introduce Paul (Robert Schenkkan), a house painter armed with numerous guns and an inflated ego. Paul is married to Annette (Ellen Barkin), who appears overly flirtatious and may be unfaithful. Annette’s father, Silous (Hoyt Axton), approaches Paul with a proposition: kill Yablonski for ten thousand dollars. Annette uses her charm to persuade Paul, and he enlists the help of local criminal Claude (Maury Chaykin). As the campaign progresses, both sides express confidence in their chances. Boyle’s team seems more certain due to ballot box manipulation, resulting in a decisive victory. Yablonski decides to contest the election results, making his safety increasingly important to Boyle and his associates. Paul hires another assassin, Buddy (Keanu Reeves), and the three men plan to carry out their assignment. Despite possessing a strong cast and seemingly assured direction, this film failed to reach its potential. It struggles to maintain momentum because the central storyline concerning the campaign is overshadowed by the subplot involving the hired killers. The staged political speeches feel artificial. The crowd scenes lack energy, and Boyle’s immediate portrayal as an evil person renders the election's outcome inevitable. Bronson makes an effort, but his dramatic moments resemble those from his previous action films—except he doesn’t brandish a weapon. Burstyn is underutilized in her role as a devoted wife; better writing could have given her character more depth. The most compelling performance comes from writer/actor Robert Schenkkan as Paul. He transforms Paul into such a desperate and pathetic figure that he evokes pity, were it not for his reprehensible actions. A disturbing scene shows him physically advancing on a sleeping Annette to manage his urges, and she clearly understands how a little intimacy might improve her circumstances. Claude and Buddy are also unpleasant characters; there are numerous opportunities to eliminate Yablonski, but Claude hesitates. The pair visit the Yablonski home so frequently that they know where to stop for gas. Eventually, Claude, Paul, and Buddy unintentionally veer into comedic territory—this is when I lost interest in the film. The concluding violent scenes depict them stumbling around awkwardly, reminiscent of the unsuccessful "I Love You to Death," but the humor feels misplaced here. Barely ninety minutes long, "Act of Vengeance"—a generic title that could easily serve as a subtitle for a “Death Wish” movie—never truly engages its audience and proves to be predictable, despite Robert Schenkkan’s commendable work. (* *) out of five stars.

Source on TMDB