“Edge of Winter” is a 2016 thriller that dives deep into the psyche of a man many of us can relate to. A man who is afraid of change, and terrified of a world that is quickly spinning away from him. The Canadian film has a much profounder meaning that its simple premise depicts, as something of a referendum on the then and current economic plights of the world.
Joel Kinnaman plays Elliot Baker, and pulls off one of the best acting performances you will find on modern film. Elliot is down on his luck. Divorced, disheveled, unemployed, living in a barren apartment. His only saving grace is the time he gets to spend with his two teenage sons. When forces beyond his control threaten to disrupt the simplicity of his existence, Elliot reaches a breaking point that has no option for returning to sanity.
Kinnaman is the undisputed star of the film. He exercises a great range of emotion in the role of Elliot Baker. He struggles to have a good rapport with his kids; Bradley (Tom Holland) and Caleb (Percy Hynes White), and laments his failed marriage. We know he’s undereducated, fired from a rural blue collar job because of a combination of technology and a temper. He’s wary of outsiders and the average viewer can really feel for him as his life is gradually replaced by robots, computers, and now, another man who threatens to be a better father to his sons. He is the forgotten member of society.
“Edge of Winter” is set amidst the rural landscape of a frostbitten Sudbury, Ontario. Cinematography is on point as the bleakness and beauty of nature are fully encapsulated. It feels cold just watching. There is also the ever present perils of the outdoors around every turn, some natural, some manifested by our main character. The landscape itself is hopeless, just like Elliot Baker’s life.
The film is perfect at 89 minutes, and it’s broken into three distinct acts. The opening portion of the story is Elliot attempting to bond with his typical teenage sons. He takes them out into the woods to teach them how to shoot and toughen the up – the only thing he feels he is an expert at. You watch and partially hope that the film is just a pleasant family friendly ordeal, but we can tell through subtleties that it’s an extremely volatile situation waiting to erupt.
“Edge of Winter” is a fast paced and unheralded thriller. It’s a great movie to check out for its thrilling story and outstanding acting performance of the lead.
