Edge of Darkness
Directed by: Martin Campbell Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston Running Time: 2 hrs Rating: R Release Date: January 29, 2010
PLOT: A man (Gibson) investigates his daughter’s murder and subsequently uncovers a horrifying government conspiracy.
WHO'S IT FOR?: Fans of Gibson, and those that can be especially patient with action-dramas with a surprisingly low amount of tension.
EXPECTATIONS: I was kind of hoping that I could use a Gene Shalit-ism like “More twists than a bag of pretzels!” That, or at least Gibson would have a decent Boston accent.
SCORECARD (0-10)
ACTORS:
Mel Gibson as Tommy Craven: In many scenes he is dwarfed by his poorly-acting co-stars, but make no association with height and power when considering Gibson’s performance in this film. He becomes especially fired up in the third act, (he's best when he's angry) and barrels through some scenes more heavy in emotion than gunfire as if this wasn't his first acting gig in three years. This is by no means the return of Gibson to being in front of camera, but such an idea is becoming increasingly welcome. Score: 7
Ray Winstone as Jedbrugh: His character is clouded in mystery, with his role not made clear until the very end. But even when he’s acting suspicious around Gibson, his monotone nature, stone face and cigar smoking antics are not the least bit intimidating. Score: 3
Danny Huston as Jack Bennett: He looks good in a suit, and the poise in which he carries himself in certainly makes his presentation extra crooked. As for the follow-through, it’s a different story, as he is not the least bit threatening as a terrorist suit, a fact that then reduces how haunting his deadly “orders” are. Score: 4
TALKING: The legacy of speaking like a Bostonian has always been shaky, but Gibson’s accent is rather impressive. Not only does he say the word “pictures” like “pitchas,” but he doesn't get too greedy with dropping his R’s and adding his A’s (which the downfall of Damon’s accent in The Departed). Some of Gibson’s threatening lines, many of which can be seen in any preview, work better than others. But the recurring statement that “everything’s illegal in Massachusetts” is wicked awesome. Score: 7
SIGHTS: Director Martin Campbell shoots his handful of (and sometimes unnecessary) hand-to-hand combat sequences with the same grit as his previous Casino Royale. This film also uses a heavy amount of legitimate Boston scenery. (Fun fact: Boston and Northhampton are not fifteen minutes away. Try maybe two hours.) Score: 6
SOUNDS: The gunshots and car smashes are turned up to eleven. Howard Shore has a film score that doesn’t stick, and the credits end with a jazzy vocal theme that resembles a wannabe Bond-film title track. Score: 5
PLOT SPOILERS
BEST SCENE: After being followed by a suspicious couple of guidos (it's not a derogatory word now!) in an SUV, Gibson finally gives in, stops his car, and reverses into them. He then claims they are the ones who smashed his car, despite having done it in public. Badass!
ENDING: Developing this scene must have made Edge of Darkness screenwriter William Monahan bounce up and down in front of his typewriter. It is no coincidence that he also scripted The Departed.
QUESTIONS: Do people say phrases like "You gotta decide whether you're hanging on the cross or bangin' in the nails" regularly?
REWATCHABILITY: Maybe in a year, but the violent “twists” that the movie’s experience heavily relies on certainly won’t have the same effect.
OVERALL
Mel Gibson watches his daughter get blown to pieces on his front porch, and then throws us in the back seat of his cahh and tells us to buckle up. Like one’s quest to locate a 24-hour I.H.O.P open at 4 A.M, he then cruises around and around, sometimes even starting back at point A, without having an exact destination in mind. Throughout his grieving father’s vengeful voyage through hell, the story doesn’t contain the right amount of tension, partly because the film is so set on keeping its many elements of mystery as “classified” as possible, and also because the violence is only unexpected because it’s LOUD. The action-drama certainly loses its edge during a particularly boring second act, and eventually Gibson’s vengeance becomes a good idea not for the sake of growling justice, but entertainment.
When his character does finally unload his international house of pain, there is indeed some payoff. But the meandering nature of this journey makes one question whether an expedition to this Edge of Darkness is really worth the time.
FINAL SCORE: 5/10