The Edge of Love [Blu-ray] [Import]

The product description actually hits every aspect of what this film is about, so that left performances and product quality for me. From the opening scene of Kiera Knightley singing (BEAUTIFULLY in her own voice and with the first of many facial close-ups) I was hooked.

The picture clarity and DTS were the best I have seen and heard for a movie of this theme/topic. Everything about the techinical aspects of the film was superb. I kept trying to find fault, even with the night shots and the dark almost black and white London sequences, but nothing would falter. The DTS was mixed perfectly throughout, even in the rain sequences and the remote bombings. Which, if you have your system cranked up thinking this is a dialogue film only, at around 16:20 you will end up blown over backwards, and that happens several times.

The main featurette is also 1080 and lasts nine minutes. It is mostly footage from the film as narrated by the main cast and director (except Cillian). Once you see the humor involved in the background of the film it can prep you for the outtakes. I thought this option would be misplaced for as serious as this film is, but after watching the four minute quip (mixed as a music video almost) it was actually perfect. It showed the disgust of everyone having to chain smoke through the whole film. And Kiera with as beautiful as she is here in every moment of film, is captured saying the F word in only the way she can.

I feel comfortable in saying no one should find disappointment in any aspect of this production, story, poetry, Blu quality, sound mix, or even the brief special features. I have played several sequences of Kiera singing for customers, and the Blu clarity has sold itself on those scenes alone.

EDIT: I have noticed there are a slew of haters out there with this film that try to find everything wrong with it. Kiera's mother wrote this piece and I think she made it believable being that these characters are based on a "bohemian" lifestyle. Kiera's singing sounded wonderful, contrary to some critics thinking it stunk. In summary, I do not think this film deserves all of the slander. Hope you enjoy it.

Loosely based on the wartime experiences of legendary Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, John Maybury's "The Edge of Love" is visually breathtaking, capturing the claustrophobic intensity of London during the Blitz, as opposed to the serenity of Thomas' Welsh seacoast home, with an artist's eye; but as drama, the story tends to drift, particularly during the rather melodramatic 'third act', despite vivid performances by Keira Knightley (who can sing!) and Sienna Miller. Ultimately, the film is an engrossing misfire, worth viewing, but lacking a cohesive core.

Thomas (as portrayed by Matthew Rhys), is a moody, brilliant, but childish artist, full of passion, but unable to see beyond his own desires. When his childhood lover, Vera Phillips (Knightley) appears in London to pursue a career as an entertainer, he begins a campaign to bed her, and relive his past...which doesn't sit well with his beautiful, tempestuous wife, Caitlin (Miller). While both Thomases have relaxed mores about infidelity (despite their intense jealousy), Caitlin and Vera soon discover, through their mutual love of Dylan, a bond that turns the situation into a playful, non-sexual ménage-à-trois. When young soldier William Killick (Cillian Murphy) falls for Vera, however, the chemistry changes, as she matures, and learns to accept 'adult' love and responsibility. Killick is posted in war-torn Greece, Vera moves to Wales with the Thomases (and soon has Killick's child), but Dylan's unabated, selfish desire for Vera untimately leads to tragedy for both couples.

It is actually a standard formula for drama, and plays out with few surprises. Still, Keightley is luminous, Miller is fiery and sympathetic, and the actresses succeed in keeping your interest, even when the story falters.

The Special Features include Commentary, a 'Making Of' featurette, and a very funny gag reel (watch how difficult it is for non-smoking actors to convincingly portray WWII chain-smokers!)

If you are a fan of Keira Knightley, I can highly recommend "The Edge of Love"; for all others, it is a mixed blessing!

I found this film particularly interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the representation of Dylan Thomas' work life seems to be fairly accurate, whilst the the parts about his love life (the core of the film) seem highly fictionalised. Then there's the casting. Cillian Murphy (Irish playing English), Sienna Miller (English, to all intents, playing Irish), Kiera Knightley (English playing Welsh, beautifully), and Matthew Rhys (Welsh playing... Dylan Thomas!). Oh, and look sharp for Suggs from Madness as a nightclub crooner.