The Edge of Love (2008)

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

Director:

John Maybury

Writer:

Sharman Macdonald

Stars:

Simon Armstrong, Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Two feisty, free-spirited women are connected by the brilliant, charismatic poet who loves them both. The passion and pathos of legendary poet Dylan Thomas is told through the lives of two extraordinary women. Vera Phillips and Dylan were teenage loves; fast forward ten years and the two reconnect in London. She's working as a singer whilst he's churning out scripts for government propaganda films and living off the last in a long line of infatuated women. The two former lovers feel the thunderbolt once more, but Thomas is now married to the adventurous Caitlin. Despite their love-rival status, the women form a surprising friendship. Caitlin indulges in her own infidelities, and recognises a similar adventurous spirit in her husband. But she knows his connection with Vera is something different, not to mention dangerous. Romantic turmoil continues in Vera's life. She marries her devoted admirer William Killick, but she can't deny the chemistry between herself and Dylan, nor does she ...

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Plot Keywords:

poet | jealousy | wales | infidelity | courtroom | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, language and disturbing war images

Details

Official Sites:

Capitol Films Official site [United Kingdom]

Country:

UK

Language:

English Welsh

Release Date:

20 June 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

A szerelem határai

Filming Locations:

Wales, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$3,944 (USA) (13 March 2009)

Gross:

$28,635 (USA) (3 April 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Capitol Films, Prescience Film Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

The air war scenes outside (as opposed to the opening film scenes in the Underground) purport to show London being bombed during the Blitz. The scenes actually were other film footage as Germany used no four motor bombers during the Blitz. The scenes were actually of Allied B-17s bombing Dresden, Germany at the war's end.

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Quotes

Vera Phillips: You don't even see me, do you? Dylan! All you've got is stories in your head. Words. And I have to feel real. William... makes me real.

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Connections

Referenced in Uned 5: Episode dated 20 June 2008 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Careless Talk"
Lyrics by John Maybury
Music by Angelo Badalamenti
Published by Anlon Music Co.
Produced by Angelo Badalamenti
Courtesy of Universal Music Classics and Jazz
Under License from Universal Music Operations
Performed by Beth Rowley

User Reviews

Love divided by four.

Despite the title and unlike some other stories about love and war, this film isn't too sticky and pink, because love is as a rose: With thorns, that is. The four leading actors set their characters realistic and with a good sense and balance between the tragic and the down-to-earth.

The music and lyrics of the cabaret/chanson-esquire songs (sung b Keira Knightley herself) drag the viewer deeper and deeper in the film, from one place to another, between the brutal war and amongst the peaceful love. Some people may find it too much a biopic, but it ís mostly a romantic story, even though it consequently follows the life of Dylan Thomas and the triangular relationship which is steeped by joy and jealousy.

London gets visualized from another angle for once, the bohemian life of Dylan during the bombings of the Germans is set in a floating atmosphere of small bedrooms, pubs and bars. The independent women, the soldier and the charismatic poet are constantly swept in both feelings of love and anger.

Maybe the end is too twisted and hangs somewhat loosely to the rest of the film, but all in all this is a great romantic story.