EDGE OF DARKNESS is director Martin Campbell’s Taxi Driver. Mel Gibson might be a drunk driving anti-semite, I don’t know, who knows, people say stupid sh*t when they’re drunk but the fact remains that Gibson is still one of the most excellent, compelling actors on screen. Age only made him better. Monahan and Bovell’s brilliant writing makes it feel like… we’re reading a mystery novel that doesn’t give you the answers but forces you to peal the questions layer by layer no matter how self-destructive it might get. Revenge is a dish best served.. by Mel Gibson.
Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department and a single father. When his only child, twenty-four year-old Emma (Bojana Novakovic), is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes that he was the target. But he soon suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his daughter’s secret life and her killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous, looking glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder – and to shadowy government operative Darius Jedburgh (Ray Winstone), who has been sent in to clean up the evidence. Craven’s solitary search for answers about his daughter’s death transforms into an odyssey of emotional discovery and redemption.
After Payback and The Patriot, it’s not news that Gibson knows how to tackle revenge like it’s nobody’s business. He’s still got that rage and determination unlike any other actor could display. This movie kinda reminds me of another title from the past. This might be a shot in the dark to some of you but without spoiling it, the way the story ends, the way Mel’s character, Tom Craven lays down his judgment on those who deserve punishment reminds me of the way Robert De Niro’s character unleashed his judgment onto the hoodlums in Martin Scorsese’s classic Taxi Driver. No mercy, quick, unexpected, violent and oddly satisfying. David Cronenberg’s A History Of Violence also shared the same style and sentiment. If I didn’t know any better, I thought EDGE OF DARKNESS was directed by Scorsese
This movie’s got so much element of surprise, it will definitely appeal to fans of thriller everywhere. There’s plenty of badass, shocking moments that will leave you impressed. What I enjoy the most is that the character Tom Craven is this character that wants to make sure that if you cross him, you’re going to regret it because he’s not out to arrest anybody.
Great supporting cast by the under-appreciated Danny Huston and also Ray Winstone whose calmness is only a sign of how deadly his character can be. He plays the ‘cleaner’ Jedburgh who has that epiphany moment that captures what Monahan and Bovell want to convey in the themes.
I said earlier that watching EDGE OF DARKNESS is like reading a mystery/thriller novel. The conspiracy is so thick, Craven would have to go backwards to uncover it. No science, no DNA, no suspect, just some good old fashioned taking matters into your own hand. Every person he encounters doesn’t seem to want to talk or they’d just share bits and pieces because of fear or some unforeseen incident that happens right after. But once Craven connects the A to B, it’s all about how to finish it in a way that would settle the score once and for all.
This is not a thriller that’s completely fast-paced, at times it even tests your patience because Monahan and Bovell wants Craven to not be just some guy who’s out for blood without thinking things through… eventhough he’s got nothing to lose and doesn’t give a sh*t, they want Craven to have a well thought out plan, they want him to visit each person responsible and speak his mind whether through putting the fear of God in them or through strong repeated punches to the kidney, before his time runs out.
You might have to keep up with their Boston accent and the conversations that are going on but even if you can see it a mile away, the movie is well-crafted and smart enough to instill in you that thirst, that fire to stay through and see what Craven would do so that the corrupt fellas and murderers would get what’s coming to them.
EDGE OF DARKNESS to me is a great thriller because it’s satisfying, it’s a revenge story that accomplishes what it has planned on doing. Those of us angry at injustices committed by people with power and money but we can’t do anything about it, would find ourselves rooting for Craven. The story keeps taking us back to the memory of him and his daughter, fueling that anger even more inside us, so when that judgment comes, there’s no way we’d ever disagree with Craven’s methods.
* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film
I’m going to see it tomorrow
This is a remake of the 1985 British TV show of the same name. It’s nice to see that they’ve stayed true to the original themes. This one sounds like one to watch (even if Mel Gibson in real life is a turn off).
it is a remake..
thanks for the reminder..
and ya.. I believe this movie can definitely separate Mel the actor and Mel the person
The guy may have blurted some ugly and hurtful comments in a drunken state, but you cannot deny the guy’s acting talent. Besides the great roles he has played, he has also turned down other roles that became memorable by other actors. Wonder how he would have done in those parts. Here are some he turned down or was considered for but just didn’t get the part for some reason or other:
* Was considered for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989).
* Was considered for the role of Wolverine in X-Men (2000).
* Was offered the role of Eliot Ness in The Untouchables (1987), but had to decline because he was already working on one of the Lethal Weapon films.
* He turned down the role of Harvey Dent/Two Face in Batman Forever (1995), due to scheduling conflicts with Braveheart (1995).
* He was the original choice to play Jack Stanton in Primary Colors (1998) but lost out to John Travolta.
* Turned down the role of Sgt. John McLoughlin in World Trade Center (2006) to direct Apocalypto (2006) instead.
* Director Martin Scorsese sent him the script for The Departed (2006), offering him an unspecified role in the film. Gibson was unable to accept the role as he was starting production on Apocalypto (2006) that same year.
* Turned down the role of Jim Garrison in JFK (1991).
* Turned down the role of “The Terminator” in James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984).
* Was considered for the role of Robert Clayton Dean in Enemy of the State (1998).
* Was considered for the role of James Bond in GoldenEye (1995).
AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT….
* Almost turned down the role of William Wallace in Braveheart (1995) because he thought he was too old for the role. He asked the producers if he could direct it instead. A compromise was made, he could direct the movie if he agreed to portray Wallace.
Can you imagine him in any of those roles above? Wow. Wonder how those films would have fared? hmmm.
Like him or not, the guy is amazing on screen. Loved his portrayals as Martin Riggs (Lethal Weapon series), Benjamin Martin (The Patriot), Max (Mad Max series), Bret Maverick (Maverick), William Wallace (Braveheart), Porter (Payback), and Rev. Graham Hess (Signs).
I haven’t seen Edge of Darkness… but judging by this review… I probably will.
Nice review Rama.
I loved this movie! Some places caught me completely off guard & even though I saw the end coming, it was still entertaining! Favorite part:
Mr. Robinson?
Yes.
Are you Mr. Robinson?
Yes.
Take off your glasses please.
PUNCH!?!
@moviebuff… wow you’ve done your research, moviebuff,
you mentioned Batman a couple of times there.. makes me think that Mel Gibson would be perfect 10 years from now if they’d ever make THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS movie where Batman is old.
So he was close to not even starring in BRAVEHEART huh? That would’ve not been good.
So wait,.. he was supposed to play The Terminator,… Arnold wasn’t the first choice?..
makes me think of parallel universe alternate reality.. maybe there’s a life beyond the Star Trek black hole just like ours but in theirs, Mel is The Terminator
Yes sir. Every one of those statements are true. And you’re right about the Terminator. Can’t imagine anyone but the Governator playing that role. But its all hind sight. I mean… did you know Tom Selleck (Magnum P.I.) and Richard Gere (Pretty Woman) were first choice before Harrison Ford to play Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Imagine either of those guys playing Indy…. cause I can’t. haha
As far as mentioning Batman twice… Mel was actually considered for Batman/Bruce Wayne (it went to Michael Keaton) in 1989 but for Two-Face for Batman Forever (it went to Tommy Lee Jones).
And oh you are so right about him being a perfect old Batman if they ever give the green light to The Dark Knight Returns. Awesome.
You know now that I think about it. Mel Gibson could play Wolverine if they ever did an Xmen Day of Future Past movie.
hahaha.. yes.. after watching EDGE OF DARKNESS.. Mel playing Wolverine isn’t so farfetched of an idea