The Edge of Love (2008)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

John Maybury

Writer:

Sharman Macdonald (written by)

Release Date:

20 June 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance | War

Tagline:

The only thing more dangerous than war... is love.

Plot:

Two feisty, free-spirited women are connected by the brilliant, charismatic poet who loves them both.

Plot Keywords:

Poet | Infidelity | Jealousy | Wales | Rivalry

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Simon Armstrong	...	Wilfred Hosgood
Ben Batt	...	Sergeant
Geoffrey Beevers	...	Registrar
Rachel Bell	...	Midwife
Paul Brooke	...	Mr. Justice Singleton
Huw Ceredig	...	John Patrick
Richard Clifford	...	Alistair Graham
Richard Dillane	...	Lt Col David Talbot Rice
Joel Dommett	...	Train Soldier
Rachel Essex	...	Mel
Craig Gallivan	...	Sailor Beating Dylan
Callum Godfrey	...	Boy on Train
Simon Kassianides	...	Partisan
Keira Knightley	...	Vera Phillips
Anne Lambton	...	Anita Shenkin

Also Known As:

The Best Time of Our Lives (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality, language and disturbing war images.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Hong Kong:IIB | USA:Unrated | Portugal:M/16 | USA:R (certificate #45422) | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Aldwych Underground Station, Aldwych, Holborn, London, England, UK

Company:

BBC Films

Trivia:

Lindsay Lohan was originally attached to play the role of Caitlin, but dropped out shortly before filming began.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When William Killick boards his transportation plane to Greece the C-47 Dakota shows "D-Day stripes" (aka "Invasion stripes") on fuselage and left wing. Historically and consistent with the period setting of the story - the "Blitz" - this must have been in spring 1941. However, these markings were not in use before June 1944.

Quotes:

Caitlin MacNamara: Now you'll get fat. And Dylan won't love you anymore.
Vera Phillips: You're a bitch. It's the past Dylan loves. And you. He doesn't love me at all.
Caitlin MacNamara: When's William get back?
Vera Phillips: I keep writing. No word.
Caitlin MacNamara: Think he's dead?
Vera Phillips: We're still getting his pay. The army wouldn't pay a dead man.
Caitlin MacNamara: You'll have to stop singing.
Vera Phillips: I'll sing if I want.
Caitlin MacNamara: They won't let you. Not pregnant they won't.
Vera Phillips: I can't do this. I can't. A mother, me, look at me!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Uned 5: (2008-06-20)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Careless Talk

Worth a glance if you're REALLY interested otherwise it's not worth the entrance fee.

I went to see this as the Edinburgh Film Festival the other day and I have to say I was a bit disappointed.

The score and the cinematography were lush and gorgeous and the acting was very good but the script lacked characterisation. I realise that Dylan Thomas was not meant to have been an overly pleasant man, but I failed to see why the seemingly likable, headstrong character of Vera Phillips ever fell in love with him. He came across as completely selfish and sleazy with virtually no redeeming qualities and it frustrated me that there seemed to be no explanation for every woman fawning over him. Characters made choices out of the blue and eventually I just grew to dislike all the characters I have loved in the first half.

What also grated about this film is that sometimes I swear I could have been watching 'Atonement' the amount of time Keira Knightley said "Come back to me." I really hope she wasn't trying to relive the glory of 'Atonement' through this film because I am afraid she will be sorely disappointed. Even though I personally did not enjoy 'Atonement' I can recognise that it is a marvellous film and sadly "The Edge of Love" just cannot compare.