Acts of Betrayal (1997) User Reviews

Okay action B-flick with some personality

[=G= · 5/10 · 7 January 2002]

"Acts of Betrayal", a typical B action flick, tells of a macho FBI agent (McColm) who spends the entire film killing bad guys as he protects a federal witness (Alonso) from a small army of hitmen. The film has little going for it but does manage some par or better firefights and a kinda-sorta fun relationship between the stalwart and silent agent and the always jabbering, ever sassy Alonso character. For action junkies only.

There are worse ways to spend 115 minutes

[christophaskell · 2 October 2003]

As the movie begins, Eva Ramirez (former Miss Teen World Maria Conchita Alonso) is picked up by two federal agents who need her to appear in court to testify against her mob boss ex-husband. Unbeknown to the agents there's trouble afoot, and this conventionally routine task is made nearly impossible by a band of cumbersome misfits out to see that Miss Ramirez does not make her court date. They quickly finish off one of the agents, and spend the rest of the movie trying to get to Miss Ramirez. Much to their frustration, their plans are thwarted time and again by the second agent, the thrifty Lance Cooper (Matt McColm). This is an action film for action fans. This is the epitome of an action film, and doesn't pretend to be anything else. From credits to credits this is a bullet ballet (if I may borrow the catchy phrase from director Shinya Tsukamoto), almost relentlessly involving the protagonists in a chase, near death experience, or just an old-fashioned shootout. Matt McColm is great as a B-action star, and the comedy (attempted) of Miss Ramirez bounces of his stoic demeanor very effectively. It's not going to win an Oscar, but if you want to sit down to an action film, this would be a solid place to start. Rating: 28/40

Opposites Attract

[davidjanuzbrown · 10/10 · 15 August 2012]

Every film cannot be "Citizen Kane", and "Acts of Betrayal" certainly does not qualify as that kind of film. However, it does not have to be. It does help however if you are: a: Be a classic film fan (Does anyone think that it any accident that Matt McColm's character Lance Cooper, shares the last name of Gary Cooper? If you see how laconic this FBI Agent is, and you know who Gary Cooper was, you certainly do not). b: Love Maria Conchita-Alonso. Her Eva Ramirez is loud, abrasive, fun and sexy. c: An action film film fan: There is a ton of shooting and explosions, so this is not exactly a "Chick Flick" "Lifetime" Movie. Since I am all three, I love this film. Spoilers: What it is about is Lance and his partner are ordered by his boss (The Deputy Director of the FBI) to escort Eva (The estranged wife of a Mafia Don) to Court to testify against him. The problem is, people want her dead at all costs, and they have unlimited funds and firepower to do so. It starts with a faked bank robbery, where everyone is supposed to die, and the authorities will be left thinking that is what it was. Of course, the real goal is to kill Eva. Only Eva and Lance survive, and so begins their story. Lance is a tormented ex-Marine who cannot get over his wife's murder (He was away and could do nothing), who is to quote Eva and his Boss "A Boy Scout", who does nothing wrong. In the beginning, Eva flirts with him, and he does not respond, she questions him thinking he was gay, but Lance says he is not, and admits to looking at her legs). When he does that, she knows she has him hooked (Even if he does not). Eva of course, is his total opposite: She is unafraid to say what she thinks about anything, and is hot (To put it mildly such as Seeing her in her red bra).. It is a battle of survival with Lance and Eva vs an evil male and female hit team named Trent (Muse Watson ( who used to play Mike Frank's on NCIS). and Sharon Granite and all of their allies. At the end, Trent is killed and Sharon and Lance were wounded, and the FBI comes in to clean things up. The problem is his Boss and three fellow Agents are corrupt and they have to kill Eva, otherwise the Don will make a deal and testify against them. So the Boss shoots Sharon dead, thinking it was Eva "Saying the B***H is finally dead." He wants to shoot Lance, but because he likes Lance, can't do it, and orders another Agent to do so, but before he can Eva comes out with a machine gun, saying "The b***h is right here." and shoots all four dead. She then asks Lance "What is next?" And Lance says after he takes her back to testify, "There are Choices." Eva asks: "Are you coming with me?" Lance smiles and says: "There are always choices." Simply put, he can no longer go back to the FBI (After what happened), and since Eva saved him from being killed (And brought him out of his shell), he knows that for better or for worse, his future will be with her, and he decided to embrace it (Who would not want to be with her? I certainly would). Eva of course, is one step ahead of Lance, which is why she said "Are you coming with me?" She knew what the answer would be if she asked. Eva and Lance are 100% made for each other proving opposites really attract. A grade of A+ 10/10 stars.

Well above average action flick

[lawfella · 7 November 2003]

The bad guys are all out to kill the government's star witness -- the defendant's wife -- before she can testify. Her protection? The usual (in these kinds of films) FBI agent pretending to be the dutiful automaton but not quite able to pull it off because he's human underneath it all. What sets this film apart is the sharp tongue-in-cheek writing (FBI agents are referred to as "Zimbalists", for instance) and above all, Maria Conchita Alonso's show stealing performance as the wisecracking, emotional lead. Yeah, she's lovely and sexy, but mostly she's a fine and underrated actress (check her out in the drama "Caught"). A highly entertaining film.

well done

[jeffgardner708-1 · 8/10 · 28 July 2019]

Is this a remake, if it is, what was the original title and what year? I actually saw this film on You Tube and was entertained right from the opening scenes. Certainly well worth watching.

Good plot and neverending shootings

[Knight Of The Cross · 22 August 1999]

"Acts of betrayal" directed in John Woo style. Strained plot. Endless gunshots. About actors play I can say that Matt McColm acted well, but Maria Conchita Alonso not very well. Her character was too talkative. And it's little irritated me. Matt McColm acted a laconic FBI agent who must to protected a very important witness. During the movie assassins constantly were after them. But Matt McColm's character always found exit from difficult situations. I think that's all what can I say about "Acts of betrayal".

Unintentionally very funny!

[raceface · 3 June 2003]

Talk about over acting, big laughs for this B flick!!

Cast of no-names with the exception of one time leading lady Maria Conchita Alonzo, who is by far stuck in the worst script of her career. The bank robbery scene is great, the dialogue, the constant "grunts and groans" from all the cast. It's just plain bad!!

Just annoying

[Conax · 14 April 2003]

For a woman on the run for her life, she sure is a big mouth. The film makers were trying to make this character funny, but instead, it was just annoying.

But hey, it's movie, you can make it as unrealistic as you wish...