Review: Mel Gibson’s Edge of Darkness crackles with dark thrills
It’s been eight years since Mel Gibson appeared in front of the camera - at least one that didn’t belong to the paparazzi or a mugshot photographer. The last decade has been full of controversy for the megastar but after a decade of directing and making headlines, he has returned to acting in a big way with the excellent neo-noir thriller, Edge of Darkness.
Gibson is Thomas Craven, a veteran Boston police detective who is happy to welcome home his daughter for a surprise visit. Shortly after she arrives, a killer guns her down in their home. Assuming he’s the target, Craven looks through his case files to figure out who would want him dead.
Ever resourceful, the Boston flatfoot starts to unpeel the layers of a convoluted and insidious conspiracy far beyond his capabilities and jurisdiction.
Edge of Darkness is the very definition of a hardboiled noir thriller. It’s a dark, gritty, and very violent ride into a world of corporate cover-ups, murder, and conspiracy. Director Martin Campbell has actually already filmed this material as a British mini-series back in the mid-eighties.
For this adaptation, he’s pared down the six-hour teledrama into a mean and serious adult thriller. This one is really a surprise for me as Campbell is better known for glossy, fan-friendly, big budget action flicks like Goldeneye, The Mask of Zorro, and Casino Royale. There’s no sheen of slick and safe action thrills here, only sheer brutality.
Even though Mel Gibson is getting up there in age, he’s never been tougher. His grizzled, nothing-to-lose Boston tough-guy is easily a match for Mad Max. Joining him is Ray Winstone, who plays a mysterious government fixer. His role is great since you never really know what side he’s on or what game he’s playing. Despite his pot-bellied appearance, you get the feeling this is a guy you shouldn’t mess with.
The villain is played by the always dependable Danny Huston who puts a capital E in Evil.
Don’t bring the kids to this one, as it earns its R-rating. Campbell directs the film with an emphasis on realism and Edge of Darkness is a kindred spirit to The French Connection or Clint Eastwood’s early Dirty Harry films. Much of the film plays out without music, which places even more emphasis on the drama and the sudden and jarring surprises that await.
What really helps to make this film great is the emotional connection Campbell establishes between Craven and his daughter. Although she doesn’t last long, there are constant reminders throughout the story of the love shared between the detective and his little girl. It makes the payback that much more satisfying and I actually heard some applause in the theater when Craven catches up to the bad guys.
I can’t recommend Edge of Darkness enough. I’m actually going to say that this is one of the best films Mel Gibson has ever made and it’s perfect for people who like tough and dark thrills.
4.5 out of 5
Rated R
Tony Robinson is a past host of KATU's Movie Guys film review segment and currently reviews movies exclusively for KATU.com. He lives in Portland with his wife, son and action figure collection. He can be reached at tonerobe@hotmail.com.