"Asshole."
"Edge of Darkness" doesn't necessarily suck.
But it sure as hell isn't that good either.
Awkward and often unfair in how it carries itself, "Edge of Darkness" is a modestly ambitious detective thriller that turns into low-grade revenge fare come. Mel Gibson waited eight years to make a movie where ... his ears are longer? Well, that's what I noticed... The biggest disappointment comes from the fact that "Darkness" has a grade-A pedigree, including a script by Oscar winner William Monahan ("The Departed"), Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") as director and a seemingly eager Mel Gibson. Through their combined efforts, we get just another cheap and lazy thriller, saved only by our interest to see answers and resolution after so many vaguely related scenes.
OK. In short, Thomas Craven (Melvin) is Boston PD. Daughter gets shot dead, Thomas thinks it was meant for him. Turns out, the shot was meant for Thomas's daughter. Big mistake. Some bad guys are gonna pay.
Now, if and when you see "Darkness," it may appear to be more ruminative and thoughtful than the average Bronson revenger, but that appearance is false. Campbell cheats, alot. Making bad things happen out of nowhere (people hit with cars, gunshots, bodies popping out of water), Campbell forgets that every thriller moment can be seen a mile away. Is this meant to be bloodlust fantasy, or shock reality? Well, "Darkness" can't make up its mind, literally walking a fine line between narrative styles, without fully committing to anything. And that is the awkward problem with this movie.
On the edge:
- Mel Gibson is intense, but not enough to keep you interested.
- Scenes grab your attention, but never go anywhere.
- Danny Huston and his bad guy crew are wormy, but not wormy enough.
- Thomas loves his daughter, obviously, but not for long enough on screen.
- Campbell tries to let Craven daydream about his daughter talking to him, but not enough for us to take it seriously.
- "Edge of Darkness" maintains interest long enough, but ultimately results in nothing much more than a confusing policer.
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