Dozens of movies tackle the concept of Man vs Elements with a wide range of stories serving to propel them. From the true accounts of a plane crashing in the Andes, to bank robbers forcing a river guide to help them escape, survivalist movies are always full of action and adventure.
1997 saw acclaimed writer David Mamet and controversial director Lee Tamahori at the helm of The Edge; a character driven thriller set amidst the beautiful but deadly Alaskan wilderness. Frigid temperatures and unforgiving terrain aren’t the only obstacles for survival. We add a rivalry between the two men – played by Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin – that may be fueled by simple paranoia. If that’s not enough, a savage Kodiak bear is stalking them from the darkened shadows of the wood.
“The Edge” is a quintessential 90s styled action film, with quick and simple exposition in the opening handful of minutes that introduces the characters and their reason for being in the Alaskan outback. Charles Morse (Hopkins) is a billionaire. We know he’s very smart, and a bookish sort who seems to lead a life of quiet desperation. We know Bob Green (Baldwin) is a photographer, with a brash and unmannered demeanor. And we know there are bears all around, some of which have a taste of human blood.
The contrast between the film’s two leads is what makes the movie forge well. Its Brain vs Brawn, Age vs Youth, Books vs Streets. Both men seem to be vying for the affection and attention of Charles’ young model wife (Elle Macpherson), a character with very little depth who represents the typical rich man’s trophy. There’s an ambiguity to the primary conflict between Charles and Bob. They’re said to be friends, though Bob clearly has a connection with Charles’ wife that’s more than platonic. Or is it? The details are purposely left out leaving the viewer, as well as Charles, unsure of the real facts.
The rapport between Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin is good. The characters are a bit predictable, but I think that’s part of the reason the movie works. It’s not meant to be taken too seriously, and I think the style each man brings, Hopkins being cool and calm, and Baldwin being a complete jerk, play well off each other. The cast is complete with the great Harold Perrineau, whom fans of TV shows ‘Oz’ and Lost’ will recognize. And of course, the wilderness itself, filmed predominantly in the Canadian parks, is breathtaking and serves as the final but most important character in the film.
The positives are quite abundant. I love the speed with which the film takes off once it gets going. There isn’t a lot of time to dawdle in the Alaskan wild, so you know the pressure is on. Older movies do special effects really well, and while some scenes display an obvious blue screen datedness, others; specifically the harrowing plane crash that sets the entire movie up and the ravaging bear (played by an actual bear and not a goofy cgi) are downright terrifying.
The flaws are easy to forgive if you’re looking for a fun movie to watch. There’s a certain degree of suspension of belief required, specifically the stalking bear which, being no animal expert, seems somewhat unlikely. But since the scenes with the bear are some of the best in the movie, let’s let it ride. I found the final act to drag on a bit too long, and in the art of preventing spoilers, I hated the ultimate reveal. There were several different directions I wish the film had taken, but the conclusion is a bit head scratching and seems like the writing tried to be too many different things.
“The Edge” is a solid thriller, and rest assured, you’ll feel the tension as you watch.
