Revanche - Tomorrow at the Liberty Theatre, 9.15 p.m and Thursday at the Liberty Theatre, 3.45 p.m.

There have a been a million bank robbery films done over the years but thankfully Revanche avoids all the clichés and delivers a taught, thought-provoking movie which keeps you gripped throughout the two hours.

Your typical cops and robbers film it definitely is not. It's less about the action, more about the aftermath.

It starts in the depressing confines of an Austrian brothel – with Ukrainian prostitute Tamara and career criminal Alex plotting a way out of their plight.

The ruthless and slightly unhinged Alex plots a robbery which goes horribly wrong. He's got the money, he's got his freedom but he sure as hell hasn't got the girl.

Meanwhile policeman Robert also regrets his role in trying to stop the robbery. Ironically the pair end up mulling over the results of their moments of madness in very close proximity.

Alex toils away chopping wood for his ailing grandfather at an isolated farmhouse, only the bulging vein in his forehead giving an indication about the pressure he's under.

And the timber work proves less cathartic than he might have hoped as his passions begin to boil over.

He's made one rash mistake is he about to make another one?

Johannes Krisch, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle, gives a very powerful performance as anti-hero Alex with a sparse script.

And then Robert's wife gets to know Alex and the plot thickens as she probes him over his turmoil.

Some films glamourise crime and crime fighters, but this one shows the guilt, anger and nagging despair.

It's subtle, psychological and supremely understated. No music plays during the dramatic moments.

And best of all it let's you do some of the thinking and has the courage to give an ambiguous ending rather than a tidy, happily-ever-after wrap up.

True, films like this are probably an acquired taste, two hours with not a lot happening will seem like torture to some.

But for others it will hit the spot. Those who crave films which don't divide the characters into goodies and baddies but attempt some genuine human insight can often find the video shop threadbare.

Thankfully every year BIFF rides to the rescue.