Review of Edge of Darkness (2010) by Cath O — 21 Dec 2010

It was hard for me to figure out how this film's title, "Edge of Darkness", works with this film itself. There isn't much within the film that gets this title across, if the idea was that this was to be a psychological thriller. This is more of a political espionage thriller, although not quite on the level of other films of such a genre (think Patriot Games).

In addition, I found myself quite incredulous how you could have a protagonist, a Boston detective who witnesses his only daughter shot on his front doorsteps and die in his arms, subsequently take on a politically connected, highly secretive, and downright brutal (and arguably treasonous) corporation. I guess one would just have to "roll with it," in the words of Martin Lawrence.

Getting beyond that, I found the film captivating from start to finish, if brutal at times. Gibson does his role well, both as cop and as father. I wish there was some more depth to his relationship with his daughter, even though the flashbacks get it done in general - it would have reduced the need to make some scenes so melodramatic and "misty." The sense of corporate-government conspiracy is evidence and executed well, but taken away a bit by the plot of it being disrupted by a Boston detective, rather than anything more elaborate. And there is a good balance of heady detective work, suspense, and action that keeps one's attention. Nothing major, but good to watch with some popcorn.