The Edge
released 1997
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“The Edge” is a survival, action, drama with elements of a psychological psychological thriller, produced by Art Linson, directed by Lee Tamahori and written by David Mamet. It stars Anthony Hopkins, Elle MacPherson, Alec Baldwin, Harold Perrineau, Gordon Tootoosis, Bart the bear, L.Q. Jones, Kathleen Wilhoite, David Lindstedt, Mark Kiely, Eli Gabay, Larry Musser, Brian Arnold, Bob Boyd, Kelsa Kinsly, Randy Birch, Lawrence Lefebvre and Brian Steele. The score is fantastic and is the creation of Jerry Goldsmith. This is an exciting film with a very good story.

The Edge IMDb website:

“The Edge” is the story of billionaire Charles Morse, played by Anthony Hoppkins, who goes on a trip to a remote place in northern Alaska with his wife Mickey, played by Elle MacPherson. They bring a crew of people along, one of which is photographer Robert “Bob” Green, played by Alec Baldwin and his assistant Stephen, played by Harold Perrineau. Now Charles is a successful yet humble man. He is meticulous and thoughtful, observant, knowledgeable and rightfully suspicious. He is also someone with an excellent memory who likes to read and remember what some might call trivial data. Over the course of the story we understand why Charles is so suspicious. We soon realize that people cling to Charles to get things from him as is the case with most people who are successful, rich, famous, powerful or just have something people want. So you have people like Bob Green who are clearly predators and Styles, played by L.Q. Jones, who are not so obvious in their opportunism. That seems to be the common curse of success and Charles is not immune.

During the course of the film we watch so many of the people around Charles remove their masks of civility and expose an ugly side of themselves. It´s a testament as to how powerful desires control people. Nearly everyone betrays Charles in one way or another. However, Bob is the most dangerous and crude of them all. This isn´t just a story about surviving the harsh Alaskan environment and getting safely back to the cabin. That is why it´s so good.

In the story Charles must not only battle the elements but the people around him as well. It’s the story of character in the human being and what so many people’s price is. Some people might not physically attack Charles but they might try to fool him out of his money. Others might try emotional bullying. Although a very wealthy man Charles has predators and challenges in his life like most people. This is a good cautionary tale on the cost of extreme success and wealth which is something most people would not think of. Most people would only see the advantages of wealth and not the challenges. Just think of how many lottery winners of large fortunes end up in some kind of trouble. They are often the victims of fraud, slander, thefts of all kinds and even violence. And sometimes it’s the people closest to them like friends and family who are doing the bad deeds.

This is the story of a good man tested by life. He´s tested through his friendships, through acquaintances and eventually by the wilderness itself. Like a true hero of so many stories, he survives his trials and is a better, wiser person for it. I loved Charles´quote because it sums up so much of the story and his philosophy on life:

“We’re all put to the test… but it never comes in the form or at the point we would prefer, does it?”
Charles Morse, The Edge(1997)

The survival scenes are also very good. Their struggle with the elements and the ferocious grizzly bear, played by Bart the bear, at their heels is very exciting. It is important to mention that there are different versions of this film with different endings but rest assured they´re all good. In one version he confronts his wife with her infidelities. It turned out that Mickey was having an affair with Bob after all. She covered it well during the story but there were some hints at it.

I have to say that my two favorite characters were Charles because of the qualities he possessed and the type of person he was. There are so many stereotypes of the wealthy, successful tycoon who is immoral and that just bugs me because it is not always true. Regular, everyday people can be just as corrupt as any criminal and that’s a fact. My second favorite character in the film is the bear Bart. We know were we stand with Bart. He is not motivated by money and is the only character with this distinction. He kind of is the embodiment of nature forcing humans out of the forest and back to their civilization. The only place they can really thrive in. Just to over-metaphorize the situation, if Charles and the group are a virus to the forest then Bart the bear is the immune system. That may be pushing it though.

“The Edge” is a very good film with timeless themes, beautiful landscapes and good character dynamics. I highly recommend it. You won´t be disappointed.

Written by John Ink2Quill
I2Q

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