Category | Arts & Living

Gibson returns: Edge of Darkness review

Published on February 2, 2010 by TJ Harnett

After eight years away, Mel Gibson has returned to the big screen.  The near decade-long absence has, however, put no cobwebs on Gibson’s ability to keep an audience paying attention.

In Martin Campbell’s “Edge of Darkness,” Gibson plays Boston Police Detective Thomas Craven, who loses his adult daughter when she is gunned down outside his house during a visit.  Initially the police believe the hit was meant for Craven, but as he digs deeper into his daughter’s life, the devastated and revenge-minded father realizes that the killer may not have missed his target after all.

The talent pool of this film alone may perk the interest of the moderate moviegoer.  Campbell recently directed 2006’s James Bond reboot “Casino Royale,” and writer William Monahan won an Academy Award for that same year’s Best Picture “The Departed.”  Gibson is back doing what he does best: getting mad and getting even.  In the anthology of his “I’ve lost someone and now I’m angry” films, “Edge of Darkness” may not reach the classic heights as “Braveheart,” “Mad Max,” or the “Lethal Weapon” films, but it can certainly be mentioned in the conversation alongside “Ransom” or “The Patriot.”

Make no mistake, this movie is thrilling.  It won’t pick up any major awards next year, and the story isn’t particularly thought-provoking or original, but it is involving enough that you want to see Mel get pissed and take the fight to the bad guys.  Craven is written well enough; he’s a wily police veteran who uses his experience brilliantly to outwit the antagonistic forces he faces.  The story beds an evil corporation with a politician, not a stretch to imagine, but if there was supposed to be a statement with this film, it gets lost.  Of course, no one will be seeing this movie because they need to learn something.

The movie’s action sequences are just what you would expect from this kind of flick: gritty, violent, and adrenaline-pumping.  There are no special effects in the movie, but that won’t stop you from wanting to cheer when Craven takes out the evildoers.  As an added bonus, the performances in between action scenes and clever police tricks Craven plays are very good.

Gibson is terrific, transitioning smoothly from the grieving farther to the vengeance driven, borderline madman that is somewhat of a trademark for the 54 year-old actor.  Danny Huston plays his corporate villain with full on menace; there is nothing to suggest that this character has redeemable qualities.

While this may not make for the kind of character that will live on for ages, it is certainly the kind of bad guy that is easy to hate.  Bojana Novakovic plays the ill-fated daughter, who still manages to make you care that she’s murdered, even though her screen time is incredibly brief. The real gem, however, is Ray Winstone as the mysterious Jedburgh.  A government cleaner of some kind, the film keeps you guessing as to whose side Jedburgh is really on.  Winstone nearly steals every scene he’s in from Gibson, and gives his character a healthy does of nuance and world-weariness that even though he might be strong-arming the hero, you root for him.

“Edge of Darkness” is by no means a great film; but it will take you in and keep you riveted for two hours.  There is great talent both in front and behind the camera, but this film won’t be considered anyone’s masterpiece; in short, it’s professionals doing a great job, and that’s all.  If you want a movie that will win awards, look elsewhere.  If you like to see Mel Gibson capping dudes who really deserve it, then “Edge of Darkness” is definitely the movie to see.