I must confess to a dislike of Mel Gibson, primarily for his anglophobia but more latterly for his inability to age with wisdom and grace rather than hypocracy, racism and overly public mid-life issues. However his movies are often very watchable and if you can suspend your disgust, he's actually a reasonably competent, action-hero actor. Edge of Darkness is a good yarn, keeps you guessing a bit as to where its heading and a conspiracy theory type scenario that is sufficiently non party political to allow even the most jaundiced to stay the course. I saw it on DVD, I don't remember at the cinema.
Whilst the ending does get hinted at too loudly and too early for me and when it arrives its not that unexpected, it has enough twists to satisfy and the movie as a whole works and if say Bruce Willis were playing the part Gibson does, it would probably have had a higher profile. The movie also stands out for me as another chance to see the development of Ray Winstone as a serious actor. His performance is considered and he is convincing as the puppetmaster's enforcer, tho' I think the role would have blossomed given more script and screen time to develop his characters back story. I think this was an opportunity missed to balance Gibson with an equally developed flip side character and create more of a "Heat" type dynamic.
Nonetheless, its worth a watch and whilst not Oscar material is certainly better than a night in with TV repeats.
Edge of Darkness
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finn
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Edge of Darkness
"Winston, if you were my husband I'd give you poison" ................ "Madam, if you were my wife I would drink it!"
"Terrorism is war by the poor, and war is terrorism by the rich"
"A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well."
"The opposite of pro-life isn't pro-death. Y'know?"
"What if the Hokey Cokey really is what its all about?"
"Terrorism is war by the poor, and war is terrorism by the rich"
"A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well."
"The opposite of pro-life isn't pro-death. Y'know?"
"What if the Hokey Cokey really is what its all about?"
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danlo
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I saw part of this film at a Dr.'s office and was intrigued. Will have to order on NetFlix---probably the last Gibson film I'll ever see, yeah the racism has gone over the edge and has totally shitcanned his career. (but he's got so much dam $ he probably doesn't care...too bad good director...)
fall far and well Pilots!
It's a surprisingly good film. The less said about Gibson the person, the better, however he remains a very powerful and compelling actor. I read a review that compared him to Robert Mitchum. Both men at this point in their lives represented aging lions. Quiet and powerful, and will rip you to shreds if provoked.
It's a shame that Gibson continues to torpedo his career. Damn shame too, as the guy makes great movies.
It's a shame that Gibson continues to torpedo his career. Damn shame too, as the guy makes great movies.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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Cagliostro
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You say "Mayan Rambo" as though that's a bad thing.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
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Cagliostro
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I do, yes. It works for Sly, but I didn't like the sudden turning of the story to that in this movie.
Which reminds me, Cail...Have you seen "Son of Rambow"? If not, you should. It's about some kids who decide to make a Rambo movie starring themselves. It's not amazing, but it is pretty funny and thought you might appreciate it.
Which reminds me, Cail...Have you seen "Son of Rambow"? If not, you should. It's about some kids who decide to make a Rambo movie starring themselves. It's not amazing, but it is pretty funny and thought you might appreciate it.
Life is a waste of time
Time is a waste of life
So get wasted all of the time
And you'll have the time of your life
You all need to track down the DVD of the original, 1985 BBC miniseries of "Edge of Darkness".
It is regularly mentioned as one of the very greatest television serials ever made, many people say the greatest, and is vastly richer than the film adapatation.
It was directed by the same man, Martin Campbell.
It is regularly mentioned as one of the very greatest television serials ever made, many people say the greatest, and is vastly richer than the film adapatation.
It was directed by the same man, Martin Campbell.