Edge of Sanity (1989)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Gérard Kikoïne

Writers:

J.P. Félix (writer)
Ron Raley (writer)

Release Date:

14 April 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Double the terror, double the fun

Plot:

When Henry Jekyll's experiments with cocaine have gotten out of control, he transforms into the hideous Jack Hyde...

Plot Keywords:

Craziness | Jekyll And Hyde | Psychopath | Blood | Double Life

Cast

Anthony Perkins	...	Dr. Henry Jekyll / Jack 'The Ripper' Hyde
Glynis Barber	...	Elisabeth Jekyll
Sarah Maur Thorp	...	Susannah
David Lodge	...	Underwood
Ben Cole	...	Johnny
Ray Jewers	...	Newcomen
Jill Melford	...	Flora
Lisa Davis	...	Maria
Noel Coleman	...	Egglestone
Briony McRoberts	...	Ann Underwood
Mark Elliot	...	Lanyon
Harry Landis	...	Coroner
Jill Pearson	...	Mrs. Egglestone
Basil Hoskins	...	Mr. Bottingham
Ruth Burnett	...	Margot

Also Known As:

Dr. Jekyll et Mr. Hyde (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong perverse sexuality/violence/gore and drug use. (edited version)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

UK | France | Hungary | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:18 | Finland:K-18 (self applied) (2004) | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:16 | Australia:R | France:-12 | UK:18 | USA:R (original rating) (cut) | USA:R (re-rating) (uncut) (2002) | West Germany:18 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

Allied Cine Group Pic II

Trivia:

The last film of David Lodge.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Ugly Duckling (1959)

Perkins is Great, the Rest I Hate.

This dreary film based on an intriguing concept which cross-contaminates the Jack the Ripper murders with the "Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde" story. For such a far fetched idea, the script is painfully grim, with Perkins seemingly reveling in his relentlessly character. The film feels European in its pacing and photography, with the Budapest locations filling in for 19th century London.

Director Kikoïne plays the film completely straight, the moody script offering no respite from the tedious reel of violence and perverse sexuality. Other than Perkins, the supporting cast is forgettable, much like the film itself. Failing on the level of being scary, or entertaining, it is hard to recommend anything about this. Perkins shows his talent, playing two vastly different characters without the aid of radical make-up effects.

Like a nightmare, this film feels so much longer than it actually is. It is perhaps the longest 85 minute film ever made, which is no compliment. The story does not seem to progress anywhere, the film relies entirely on violence and sex - and frankly, there is too much of each. Anthony Perkins is acting below his level here, which is a terrible shame considering his talent. It is quite amazing that he still shines even in this piece of traumatic drivel. This surely is no "Psycho".

In conclusion, "Edge of Sanity" is neither enjoyable or scary, which one would suppose makes it a poor attempt. This is a wasted concept, the possibilities for such a story are almost endless, so why is this film bogged down with it's long, boring script? Die-hard Perkins fans may draw something from this, but for the average movie goer, give it a miss.