Review of Edge of Darkness (2010) by Dan H — 19 Jan 2011

Entertaining but ultimately disappointing. Too much has been lost in the adaptation from the '80s BBC miniseries. The most notable criticism is that Mel Gibson's Craven is not a patch on Bob Peck's portrayal, who was far more interesting and complex.

The basic elements of the story are all there, and for the most part it feels like a reasonably faithful adaptation given the time constraints of being a movie not a series. However the third act is a significant let-down as it becomes a straightforward pulp revenge thriller with none of the grace or complexity of the original.

The photography doesn't help either, as not enough time has been spent giving the film a distinctive look. A bit of grain and desaturation would have suited this perfectly and added to the atmosphere; after all it opens with heavy downpours of rain and you think a gritty tone will continue.

But it just looks too clean and colours are too vibrant. The whole film is a wasted opportunity, and the original series can still stand head and shoulders above this despite being 25 years old and politically dated.

Time for a revisit I think. "Get me Pendleton!!!".