Review of The Razor's Edge (1946) by Nik B — 25 Dec 2008

Adaptaion of W. Somerset Maughm's novel. Jerry returns home from the war disenchanted with life and witha strong urge to drop out of society life. He shuns all job possiblities and simply wants to travel. This ends up breaking up his engagement to Isabel. A socialite who lvoes Jerry, but loves her society position more. She's not going to live on his modest enheritance. Must point out here Isabel's portrayer Gene Tierney. Because she's very much a reminder of Katharine Hepburn. Sure, Kathy was head and shoulders about Gene in the acting dept. (And I don't doubt that half of Gene's roles came from movies where Katarine couldn't be afforded.) But Gene is, if I had to choose, even more beautiful. She's up there with Jennifer Jones. (And yes, I'm skipping over Ingrid on purpose.).

Anyway, we follow Jerry in his pursuits for enlightment. This part of the story I found too literal and simply scripted. Jerry just really walks around and says, "What's the meaning of life?" This concept is a theme of much of great art. But these philosophical questions aren't good as literal dialogue. They're supposed to manifest themselves in other ways. Then the viewer derives the questions and (maybe?) answers from the characters' portrayals. "Lost Horizon" is a great example. In "Five Easy Pieces", Bobby doesn't say, "I just can't be content following the norm." He says, "I want you to hold the chicken between your knees." That's the expression of dejection. And you follow the story from there. But, I digress.

While Jerry follows his path, we also see his old friends in Parisian society life get in their reversals of fortune. The stock market crash, family tragedy, alcoholism, depression. So Jerry, who doesn't know what he wants, he's totally happy. And the people who follow society's rules, their lives go to shit. Simple enough for ya?