“I’m a Huge Fan of That Movie”: How Kevin Costner’s Dark Take on ‘Top Gun’ Inspired Tarantino’s Best Film
Kevin Costner is currently enjoying significant acclaim—and some criticism—for his impressive contributions to the Western genre. However, he is also well-known for his roles in iconic action thrillers. One such film is the 1990 thriller Revenge, directed by Tony Scott. While critics had mixed feelings about the film, with some questioning its quality, it nonetheless presents itself as a darker take on the 1986 classic Top Gun. Surprisingly, Revenge even inspired what many consider Quentin Tarantino’s best film: the 1993 crime-romance True Romance.
Kevin Costner’s Revenge: A Darker Take on Top Gun
In 1990, Costner took on a project that diverged from his typical roles: Revenge. The action thriller follows Michael J. “Jay” Cochran, a brash American fighter pilot (played by Costner) who becomes entangled in a dangerous affair with the wife of his Mexican crime lord friend, portrayed by Madeleine Stowe. Despite receiving mixed reviews and failing to recoup its budget at the box office, many viewers considered it a darker counterpart to Top Gun. Jay shares similarities with Top Gun’s protagonist, Maverick, who is famously warned by a superior:
“Son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.”
Much like Maverick, Jay is an arrogant pilot in a narrative that feels akin to a sports film, as he pursues his love affair with his friend’s wife, ignoring the glaring warnings around him. This disregard for caution ultimately leads to tragic consequences for both Jay and Stowe’s character, Miryea.
However, unlike Maverick, who achieves a personal victory despite not winning the Top Gun trophy, Jay’s journey ends in despair. This narrative choice reflects Scott’s moral stance, allowing Maverick’s recklessness to result in a more positive outcome in his previous film. Thus, Revenge portrays a more reckless and ultimately doomed version of Maverick, with each moment amplifying the tragedy that follows his ill-fated decisions.
How Revenge Inspired True Romance
Despite its unfavorable critical reception—boasting only a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 54% audience score—Revenge found its fans, including Quentin Tarantino. The acclaimed filmmaker appreciated its dark themes and even enlisted Scott to direct True Romance for this very reason.
