I wouldn't say this is one of the writer David Mamet's best written works (in truth I didn't know he wrote it until looking it up here), and it doesn't make director Lee Tamahori a really top-notch studio filmmaker. That being said, when it was shown on television the other day I couldn't turn away from the TV. It is, without a doubt, just an entertaining survival story with a few really good actors in the midst of the wilderness. On top of this there is also the factor of the bear in the film, played by the late Bart the bear (of The Bear and the Great Outdoors, oddly enough to be referring to an animal as if he were a real acting talent), who is if nothing else a terrifying amalgam of the dangers of the wild. It's almost not that important to know much about the background about the characters, but Mamet even gives a little bit of edge, no pun intended, with the animosity of Baldwin at Hopkins. It's with this unnerving background that Mamet does his best to portray this struggle for survival. It's not quite the territory that suits him in some ways- the dialog, if compared to some of his other words, is lackluster to me- despite him doing his best to make it original. And what else could be asked for than to keep your eyes tuned to the screen, which is the wisdom in casting Hopkins as the rich old white guy who knows-most-if-not-all and Baldwin as the contemptitive and scared s***less other guy (and lest not forget Harold Perrenieu in a good supporting role). To put it another way, if you like movies dealing with man against nature, this is one not to miss. However if you're just a general fan of the actors or just getting into Mamet it's not a high priority. It's at the core a sturdy enough picture, and it also provides some keen Bart the bear stunts. 7.5/10
Review of The Edge
