This is one of those movies that are shown late at night on TV, because it doesn't quite deserve prime-time. It's really a wasted opportunity: both Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner can act wonderfully, and thanks to their performances, you do not think about the very famous sitcom on which they both were. (Not even when Mary is in Ed's office.) Fredric Lehne makes a menacing enough villain. In fact, the acting talent is strong but it's let down by a script that lacks verisimilitude, particularly the courtroom scenes. Near the end of the film, so much tension has been built up, so many leads prove fruitless, that you look at the clock and wonder how it's all going to end. Rather easily and dissatisfyingly, I'm afraid. If you see Payback in the TV listings, check if it's the Mel Gibson outing first.
