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The Edge Of Love [2008]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Set during the Second World War, The Edge Of Love is, at heart, the story of a love triangle. In the middle of it is the poet Dylan Thomas (played here by Matthew Rhys), and it’s he who finds himself in love with two women. On one hand, there’s his childhood sweetheart Vera Phillips (Keira Knightley), and on the other there’s his wife, Caitlin Thomas (Sienna Miller). Throw in Caitlin’s husband, William (Cillian Murphy), and you have the basis of a complicated period romantic drama.

The best parts of The Edge Of Love prove to be in the build up, with the strong production values really allowed director John Maybury to build up his characters, and get across the setting of a war-torn London. Boasting good performances from the likes of Keira Knightley and Matthew Rhys, it’s hard not to get pulled into the film’s set-up.

That said, the pay-off of The Edge Of Love isn’t quite as satisfying, and the second half of the film lacks the punch you’d expect it to have. It’s hard to pinpoint quite why it doesn’t gel, but as major dramatic events ensue, you’re simply not drawn into them as much as you’d hope. Perhaps a bit more fleshing out of the characters would have helped.

However, there’s still a lot to admire and enjoy, and The Edge Of Love boasts some excellent visuals, and neat directorial touches. And even though it doesn’t fulfill its potential, it’s still a fine, eminently watchable drama. It just could have been that little bit more. --Jon Foster


If It Wasnt For Cillian Murphy This Film Would Get 0 Stars
Review date: 2008-11-10 Rating: 2 out of 10

This film has a lot of potential, but fell flat on its face. The cinematography was lovely, but the majority of the characters were shallow and superficial. The character of Vera should have been complex, and it needed a much more experienced and more talented actress to give her justice. Keira Knightley doesn't act, she just says her lines with a silly smirk on her face, giving the audience no insight whatsoever into what she's thinking and feeling, and just left me feeling lost and confused and feeling no sympathy towards her character at all. Dylan Thomas was portrayed to be a horrible and self-centred man and I couldn't understand why both Vera and Caitlin were all over him, while William Killick, the only decent and believable character in the whole film, was used and generally treated badly. I know the film is based on real people, and real people don't always have straight forward motives, but the characters in 'The Edge of Love' are just fickle and inconsistent. Not all true stories are meant to be transferred onto the big screen, an audience needs to at least believe in the characters they're watching. Not to mention the dialogue was cheesy and clique, and the plot was jumpy and inconsistent (much like Keira Knightley's accent).
But I like to try and find some good in all the films I watch and as I said earlier the cinematography was simply lovely! Cillian Murphy was the only actor in the film that did a really wonderful job, as he always does.
If 'The Edge of Love' is this years 'Atonement', I'm thoroughly relieved I didn't miss much by not going to see 'Atonement'.

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Reviews


a beautiful film
Review date: 2008-10-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Edge of Love is a beautifully shot film, with an excellent cast, an intelligent script and real emotional honesty. The potrayal of love in all it's messy, complicated forms and an unlikely but strong friendship make this film very rich with emotion without trying too hard. The actors are incredibly convincing in their roles and you really feel for the characters. The scenes in war-time London are very evocative of the period and easily capture the fear and strife of the bombings. The latter part of the film which takes place in Wales is also visually stunning. Plus if you like fashion, you will love the outfits worn by Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller. A great film, 5 stars.

really good
Review date: 2008-10-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

Really good drama- great acting interesting insight into Dylan's life. Also a interesting historical perspective of lives effected by war.

Journey To The Edge Of New Quay
Review date: 2008-09-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a great piece of film-making, with many themes simmering and occasionally boiling over in this study of the poet's wartime years that span the bombardments of London and the tranquillity of a Welsh coastal retreat . A mature, subtle script that brings into dramatic focus the underlying tensions is well served by perfect performances. But above all the excellent visual composition of each moment, with inventive and elegant use of close-up, camera angle and lighting is a wonder and joy to behold. A very rare type of film these days - it holds the attention and stirs the emotions without abandoning artistic integrity and succumbing to manipulative, superficial shortcuts.


Good to watch if you are really really bored
Review date: 2008-09-18 Rating: 2 out of 10

this is just another film with keira knightly doing what she does best witch is an old film. personally i wish she would show the talent she has in a different type of film. i work in a cinema and i have seen all of her new films, this one like the others is no different it is slow and boring. but this is coming from an 18 year old male. speaking to other people coming out of the film the most commen comment was " Atonememt was better". If you want to watch keira knightly in a film just watch any of the pirates of the Carribian films.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Cillian Murphy
Keira Knightley
Sienna Miller
Matthew Rhys

Creators:
Keira Knightley (Primary Contributor)
Sienna Miller (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060052415547
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-10-27
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 107 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2008

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