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

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.