“GIBSON GETS TOUGH”
Starring:Â Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic and Shawn Roberts
Directed by: Martin Campbell
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence and language.
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Adaptation and Politics/Religion
By John Delia
There haven’t been a lot of good crime drama’s that come up to par with The Departed, but some are still entertaining and worth the watch. Take the case of Edge of Darkness with a movie script that’s suspenseful, gripping and well acted. I liked the film and if you are looking for some thrills Edge of Darkness provides many.
The story centers on Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) a long time homicide detective for the Boston Police Department. An unexpected visit from his daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) gets his memory going of the family love they shared when she was a child. But only hours into her visit at her father’s home she gets gunned down on his steps. This sets into motion a series of investigations by Craven trying to find the killer who he feels shot a bullet meant for him. As the investigation progresses, Craven starts to delve into Emma’s recent past and gets answers he did not expect.
I liked Mel Gibson’s portraying of the tough Boston cop who has nothing to lose. A man of many accents, his Bostonian brogue in this one is right on the money. Tough as always Mel makes Craven a mixture of the vengeance filled Porter in Payback and the relentless Mullen in Ransom. I have to admit it is good to see him back on the big screen after an 8-year hiatus.
As for support acting Ray Winstone plays the dangerous killer for hire Jedburgh who comes in contact with Craven in a quest to find out information that Emma might have about his employers. When the two become at odds with each other, the unexpected happens. Winstone has had a good career playing some rough characters in films like Sexy Beast, Ripley’s Game, Beowulf and The Departed. In Edge of Darkness he carries on the persona that he has built throughout his career.
Director Martin Campbell kept me on the edge of my seat providing suspense and mayhem throughout the nearly 2-hour film. Campbell is well known for crime thrillers including the original film of this remake. His do-over here is well worth watching with his new exciting cast taking on the original roles. Campbell helmed films like Criminal Law (1989), Defenseless (1991), James Bond’s Goldeneye (1995) and the recent Casino Royale (2006). His strong no-nonsense direction in Edge of Darkness shows in most every scene.
The film is rated R for strong bloody violence and language causing me to wince at times.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A very good movie for crime film junkies. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)