INTO THE DAHKNESS
Edge of Darkness
***1/2
Review by Paul Preston
I wouldn’t call myself a Mel Gibson apologist. That would presume I’m OK with the fanaticism that seems to follow his real life. But, artistically, I’m a HUGE fan. Naturally, I wish there wasn’t a “Bird on a Wire” or “Maverick” mucking up his imdb.com profile, but his career high-points include some GREAT acting that may get underappreciated.
For example, Gibson’s first great role was Martin Riggs, and a role he’ll probably be remembered for forever. “Lethal Weapon” was a huge hit, and a universally enjoyed movie, but where was the Oscar nomination? Gibson probed some DARK areas of the heart and soul to create a true action movie original. I thought the award praise should definitely have accompanied the box office love.
Riggs’ passionate drive was so strong and compelling, Gibson’s best work usually involved that truthful exploration of the dark side. Gibson’s “Hamlet” was obsessed and tragic, easily up to acting alongside stalwarts like Alan Bates and Paul Scofield. Perhaps his performance was undervalued because the whole film underachieved as it cut Shakespeare to pieces.
Gibson’s performance in “Signs” was heartbreaking, in an otherwise flawed sci-fi film. When his character, Rev. Graham Hess, held the last conversation he would ever have with his wife, who was pinned to a tree by a car, Mel MADE that scene. It was a tall order in the script, and he delivered big-time. But in a dopey alien movie, perhaps Mel’s acting took a back seat as far as accolades are concerned.
Perhaps the most oft-occuring theme in Mel Gibson movies is the man who’s had something taken from him, and the nasty revenge story that follows. This played out beautifully in “Braveheart”, “Ransom”, “Payback”, “The Patriot” and now in “Edge of Darkness”. The intensity Mel brings to these roles is often-times the movie’s greatest asset (certainly the case with “Payback”, and probably not so much with “Braveheart”, which succeeded on so many levels, it’s tough to pick a ‘greatest asset’!).
In “Edge of Darkness”, Mel plays Thomas Craven, a police officer whose daughter is murdered, and you KNOW he’s gonna kill everybody who gets in his way until he finds out who did it! Do you need anything more to see this movie? Why’d you see “Ransom”? They kidnapped his son. Why’d you see “The Patriot”? They killed his son. It’s a shame that Gibson’s off-screen extremism kept people from coming out in those same droves to see “Edge of Darkness”, because the ride was just as intense and Mel was in his element.
Officer Craven’s daughter is offed VERY early on in “Edge of Darkness”, dispatched quickly and non-cinematically. Director Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”) wastes no time putting Mel on the revenge trail. Peeling back layer after layer of those behind his daughter’s death, Craven reveals a deep conspiracy that is topical and socially relevant, further building hate for those responsible.
Is it wicked cathartic to watch Boston’s Finest Thomas Craven settle the score? HELL YES! And it’s also an involving and complex police story. The fun of the movie (and it is fun, although it’s very dark) is determining where the story will go next. Craven runs into bent politicians, questionable allies and a very unique character in Jedburgh, a government operative played by Ray Winstone. Craven and Jedburgh’s conversations are razor-sharp and Jedburgh has some of the best lines of the film. The script was written by Andrew Bovell and Oscar-winner William Monahan (“The Departed”). Monahan has a gift for putting realistic, intelligent dialogue in the mouths of his characters that apparently have a Boston dialect.
It’s difficult to go on about this film without giving away key elements of the plot, but it unfolds nicely, as we learn what Craven learns, as he learns it. There is a great supporting cast, too, including the great Danny Huston, Jay O. Sanders and Denis O’Hare. If you don’t know these actors by name, “Edge of Darkness” is a great way to get introduced.
Martin Campbell is one of the quietest high-quality action directors in the business today. His resume includes “The Mask of Zorro”, “Goldeneye” and “Casino Royale”. There are bumps in the road, but never has he cheesed it up like Michael Bay or Tony Scott, keeping his films decidedly adult. That’s very much on display here and very much refreshing. Next up for him is “Green Lantern”, and I feel the franchise is in good hands. It doesn’t hurt that Campbell was involved with the original BBC miniseries that “Edge of Darkness” is based on.
Are there flaws? Sure. There isn’t a whole lot of humor, some “villains” are pretty easily spotted. But overall, this is a major return for Mel Gibson to above-the-title acting. I hope this leads to non-January releases that get people in the theater to see one of the best, back in the business.
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Release Date: January 29, 2010
Run Time: 117 Minutes
Country: USA/UK
Rated: R
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
