The Edge of Love (2008)

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 | Wales | Infidelity | Jealousy | Blitz

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:

Sharman Macdonald wrote the role of Caitlin with Keira Knightley in mind, but Keira chose to play Vera instead.

Goofs:

Continuity: When William Killick boards his transportation plane to Greece the C-47 Dakota shows (incorrectly) black and white "D-Day stripes" on fuselage and left wing. In the stock footage (probably ex-RCAF ZA947 operated by the "Battle of Britain Memorial Flight") used for the subsequent takeoff shot the C-47 has no markings at all neither on wings nor the fuselage's underbelly.

Quotes:

William Killick: You have a raindrop running down your cheek, just like a tear.

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

Hang Out the Stars in Indiana

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.