Edge of Love (15)
The Edge of Love is a film focusing on the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, but it is not a biopic of traditional means nor is it a story of his poetry. No, The Edge of Love is more a story of the two main women in his life, his childhood sweetheart Vera (Keira Knightley) and his beloved wife Caitlin (Sienna Miller). It is a film which focuses on betrayal and relationships, developing and corrupted, and especially the unlikely friendship which blossoms between the two leading ladies. It is a slow moving, indulgent film which offers an intimate window into the lives of four imperfect people. The acting from all four main actors is top-notch, the characters themselves fascinating and the story in parts amusing and in others touching. It succeeds as a subtle and yet entertaining film.
The film’s first half takes place in a drab war-torn London, with the first scene almost breathtaking in its simplicity. Vera Phillips is presented on stage, a full shot of her face as Keira Knightley begins one of her many live-sung renditions - her lips a bright red, her hair curled and her voice surprising. This performance from Knightley is in itself noteworthy as she impresses with her voice onscreen. It is after the introduction of Vera that we later meet her old flame Dylan Thomas (Matthew Rhys), a struggling poet who has been reduced to writing prose for propaganda films, and watch the two rekindle and come alive with each other. Their conversation is flowing, and Keira’s Welsh accent is very impressive.
However, things aren’t well for long as strong willed Vera has an impromptu introduction to Dylan’s wife Caitlin who has conveniently been ignored previously. Caitlin is suspicious immediately, but despite these awkward and tense first meetings the pair become close friends when Dylan and Caitlin move in with her.
Vera reluctantly moves on, and as a result meets the lovely William Killick (Cillian Murphy) who, after an amusingly improvised wedding, is whisked away by war. It is at this point that the movie changes as our three remaining characters move over to Wales. Despite William’s distance, his presence is often remembered by Vera, and some gruelling and pain inducing sequences are interspersed between Vera’s painful childbirth.
It is in this part of the film that the characters make their biggest mistakes, and despite blossoming relationships hurt each other in both unintentional and venomous ways. Whilst this part of the film is much slower paced than the first, it is in this section that the most exciting events take place which elicit a variety of responses from audiences ranging from shock to sadness.
The film has a relatively simplistic plot, but despite this, the delicate plodding from moment to moment isn’t slow enough to lose your interest in the film, rather it allows time for you to become fully submerged within the film and as such it is difficult to remember when the film reaches its climax that you are sitting in a cinema. Once again I must emphasise that this film does not have a strong storyline, so if you are interested in fast-paced action and storytelling it’s possibly best to give this one a miss. This film rather focuses on the personalities of the four main characters – and what personalities you have to cope with!
First there is Dylan himself. Matthew Rhys becomes fully and convincingly submersed within the role. However, unfortunately for him he is perhaps the most hateable of all the characters. His selfish obsession with Vera at the expense of his wife, his drunken tendencies, his final betrayal and the fact that he justifies all of these behaviours with a simple declaration that ‘I am a poet’ lead him to be a detestable sort. Despite his promising beginnings and the talent within him, I cannot forgive his self-obsessed ways and by the end of the film it is difficult to see what his two lovely women saw in him!
Sienna Miller’s role of Caitlin is perhaps one of the most likeable characters. Despite her own marital ‘slips’, her strong-willed nature and her decline into jealousy and horror is ultimately forgiving as she is showcased as the other victim - her own affairs merely a result of revenge. Miller’s first most publicised role is pleasing, and hopefully speaks of things to come.
Vera Phillips in the beginning of the film is presented as a fiery independent lady, who takes care of herself through her own singing talent and needs only her singing as comfort. However, after her despair at the discovery that Dylan is married, she slowly begins to melt at the hands of William and later despite her betrayal she is redeemed by her obvious regret and love for her husband.
William Killick (Cillian Murphy) is perhaps the most innocent member of this bizarre foursome, despite his later horrific misdeeds. He has undeniable love for Vera, and it is only after the trauma of serving in war and the discovery of his wife’s affair that he is thrown off the edge. It is seemingly easy to forgive this tortured man of his discrepancies.
Overall the two halves merge together to form a wonderful little film which tells the story of these four people and their mistakes. There is no weak link as far as acting goes, as each main cast member produces a fine performance, with Keira once again giving her career best. Perhaps the revelation here is Sienna who, better known for her personal life than for her acting abilities, gives a wonderful and emotive performance as Caitlin which is multi-layered and will hopefully keep her detractors quiet for the time being. . Direction from John Maybury (The Jacket) is strong, and superficially the film is beautiful with excellent camerawork throughout, with subtle flicking of view point revealing each character’s true thoughts and intentions. The film is heart-wrenching, at often times upsetting but throughout provides a giggle here and there and despite its often slow plodding is ultimately unpredictable and surprising.
