Posted on: May 10th, 2010 BD REVIEW: Edge of Darkness
Edge of Darkness
Directed by Martin Campbell
Starring Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Houston, Bojana Novakovic and Shawn Roberts
Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 5/11!
After a reasonable hiatus from acting, Mel Gibson returns to the screen in Edge of Darkness. I missed this little crime-mystery flick back when it was in theatres, so I was quite chuffed when the fine folks at Warner Bros. sent a copy my way to let you all know what the good bird on the movie is.
Edge of Darkness fits right in with the gritty, realistic revenge sub-genre alongside films like Man on Fire and Taken. In the film, Gibson plays Thomas Craven, a real man’s man detective from Boston. When his daughter is murdered in front of him, it’s assumed that he was the target and she was in in the way – but as any thriller dictates, that is far from the case, and the film takes Craven through twists and turns as he emotionally, and violently, puts the pieces of a grander conspiracy together.
The film is actually based on a BBC mini-series which was directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, Green Lantern) who also returns to helm the big-screen adaptation. The film version sees the story moved from England, this time taking place in beautiful Massachusetts. Where the film departs from films such as Taken, is that the story is far more intimate and emotionally driven; the action does not drive the film, though it is a very well-executed part, but the developments of the narrative serve as a slow-burn.
This is no doubt Mel Gibson’s picture, and his performance makes it worth viewing alone. The years off have been good to Gibson, as his portrayal of Tom Craven brings us back to some of his younger roles like in Mad Max and Lethal Weapon, albeit he’s older and completely serious. Gibson is entirely believable as a grieving father and a cop with nothing to lose. It’s almost unfair to refer to Edge of Darkness as a “cop movie”, as everything Craven does, the lengths he goes to obtain solace, is done as a man first and as a father. The film explores the mythos behind vigilante films like Death Wish or archetypes like The Punisher, but with an entirely realistic approach. This isn’t fantasy and it isn’t farfetched, which separates it from films like Taken, which it is, in my opinion unfairly, compared to. Edge of Darkness is heavy and real, and Gibson makes his pain felt. It’s also interesting to see him work with a Bostonian accent, which if done poorly can completely remove me from a film, but I’m happy to report that after being initially jarring, feels totally natural and adds to his character. There’s something about Massachusetts, and it becomes almost its own character in the film. Craven and his environment are one, lending to a more seamless experience than a smokey, city that never sleeps like New York or Chicago, the apparent templates for hard-boiled copper revenge flicks.
Gibson is flanked by two other noteworthy performances from actors Ray Winstone and Danny Huston, who play a mysterious CIA “consultant” and the head of a nuclear research facility, respectfully. Winstone in particular shines with intrigue as the raspy-voiced tough-guy, while Huston is perfect as the almost-over-the-top smarmy rich businessman who’s kind on the outside but you can just feel the malevolence leaking from his pours. The film revolves around Gibson and these two, and together you’ve got a dynamic cast that works well within the close confines of the script.
Director Martin Campbell made huge waves and gained mainstream recognition for revitalizing the James Bond franchise with Casino Royale, his film prior to Edge of Darkness. I was surprised to see such a different style used here, as Casino Royale was so slick and distinct. Darkness is definitely far more subdued that Royale, or even Campbell’s previous efforts with Goldeneye or The Legend of Zorro. This goes to show how broad a director Campbell is and though he has his own signature on his films, he doesn’t rely on his style for every film. He chooses the approach that will best serve the story. Edge of Darkness definitely has that “British feeling” to it with a touch of Michael Mann realism, though far from shaky-cam distracting. I do think the film suffers from pacing issues in the late second act, early third act, as much of the plot development is brought on via dialogue as opposed to literal events. There were moments where I wanted to see Gibson go all out and become physical but he didn’t. Again, I credit this to the film’s respect for realism, and it makes it all the more impactful when those scenes actually happen. The violent-action scenes in the film are indeed quite profound.
Overall Edge of Darkness is a tightly made thriller best served for the more mature audience, while something like Taken is in the same league but for a more younger audience with a shorter attention span. Darkness manages to embrace so many interesting elements, action, crime, mystery and conspiracy, and it balances them all nicely. The film even works as a performance piece alone, and a welcome reminder that Mel Gibson still has it.
Do check out the film, which is available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand or Download this upcoming Tuesday, May 11th. I gotta add that the Blu-Ray looks spectacular, the beautiful landscapes of Massachusetts are breathtaking in 1080p.
Edge of Darkness trailer
Clip – “I’m the guy with nothing to lose”.
Clip – “Get out of the car”.
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