The Edge of Love, Blu-ray (2008)

by | Jul 11, 2009 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews | 0 comments

The Edge of Love, Blu-ray (2008)

Starring: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys
Director: John Maybury
Studio: BBC/Capitol/Image Entertainment TF5260BD [Street date: July 14, 09]
Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 color 1080p HD
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio, DD 5.1, 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Extras: Commentary track by John Maybury and Matthew Rhys, “Looking Over The Edge of Love” featurette, Outtakes, Theatrical trailer
Length: 111 minutes
Rating: ***1/2

An interesting filmic account of the life of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (after whom Bob Dylan named himself) in Swansea and London during World War II.  It provides a quite different view of the life of Thomas than described in the play Dylan. Set in the bohemian underground of London during the war, it focuses on the two women closest to the poet – his rather wild wife Caitlin and his childhood sweetheart Vera – played by Knightley, who is the real star of this film and does quite well. The three end up for awhile in a sort of menage a trois, and Caitlin indicates to Vera she’s never had a close friend before.

Complications ensue when a soldier on his way to fight in the war courts and marries Vera before leaving. When he returns, seriously damaged by his war experiences, he suspects that the baby Vera now has is Dylan’s and not his. The acting is excellent, the production what might be expected from a BBC drama about WWII, the cinematography creative, and the audio well done.  My only slight complaint regards the overly flashy and glamorous costumes and settings of the nightclub where Vera sings (Knightley’s real voice and very professional, though a bit too many closeups of her lovely face) – since the club was supposedly set up temporarily in an underground air raid shelter during the Blitz.

 – John Sunier

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