The Edge of Love

Infobox Film
name = "The Edge of Love"


image_size =
caption =
director = John Maybury
producer =
writer = Sharman Macdonald
narrator =
starring = Keira Knightley
Sienna Miller
Cillian Murphy
Matthew Rhys
music = Angelo Badalamenti
cinematography = Jonathan Freeman
editing = Emma E. Hickox
distributor =
released = flagicon|UK 20 June 2008 (London only)
flagicon|UK 27 June 2008 (London)
flagicon|Netherlands November 6, 2008
runtime =
country = UK
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0819714

"The Edge of Love" is a 2008 John Maybury film starring Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy and Matthew Rhys from a script by Sharman Macdonald, Knightley's mother. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0819714/ "The Edge of Love" (2008)] , IMDb. Accessed 22 May 2008.] Originally titled "The Best Time of Our Lives", the story concerns the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (played by Rhys), his wife Caitlin MacNamara (played by Miller) and their married friends, the Killicks (played by Knightley and Murphy). It was the official selection at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland.

Plot

The story is based loosely on real events and people. During World War II, Vera Phillips (Keira Knightley) runs into her first love, charismatic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (Matthew Rhys), and their feelings for each other are renewed, despite that Dylan is now married to the spirited Caitlin MacNamara (Sienna Miller). Despite their rivalry, the two women become friends and the trio have happy times together. When Vera marries soldier William Killick (Cillian Murphy), Dylan becomes jealous at the addition of him to the group, and Caitlin notices. But William is soon deployed abroad, and the remaining trio moves to the Welsh countryside, where Vera's feelings for Dylan intensify. When William comes home from the war, his jealousy compounded by his traumatic experiences explodes and he shoots up the house Dylan is staying in. All the actors give strong performances, but it is Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller who really shine. Essentially the movie centres upon their friendship. Despite the emotional turmoil and the conflict, brought about by the self adoring Thomas, the two women find ways to keep their understanding from snapping. [ [http://www.capitolfilms.com/Film/Edge_Of_Love_The "The Edge of Love"] , CapitolFilms.com. Accessed 30 May 2008.]

Cast

Production

Filming began in 2007. Lindsay Lohan was attached to star in early 2007, but dropped out in late April 2007, just before filming was to begin. [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=449865&in_page_id=1773&in_a_source= "Best of times? Not for Keira and Lindsay"] , "The Daily Mail", 23 April 2007. Accessed 23 April 2007.] Miller joined the project on 23 April 2007. [Nicholl, Katie. [http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20028 "Miller, Not Lohan, Has the Time of Her Lives"] , Comingsoon.net, 22 April 2007. Accessed 22 April 2007.] When Lohan was attached to star, she told MTV about the storyline, "Keira is older than me, but she kind of has a mysterious relationship with my lover and there's somewhat of a lesbian undertone" [ [http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowbizNews.asp?Code=RI165037R&headline=lindsay_lohans_lesbian_role "Lindsay Lohan's lesbian role"] , "Life Style Extra", 16 October 2006. Accessed 16 October 2006.] Dead link|date=October 2008 Screenwriter Macdonald, however, said there is no lesbian storyline. [Smith, David. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2068046,00.html "Keira's new scriptwriter is...her mum"] , "The Observer", 29 April 2007. Accessed 29 April 2007.]

Distribution

The film made its world premiere opening the Edinburgh Film Festival on 18 June 2008. It will be released in London and Dublin two days later, with a Welsh premiere taking place in Swansea (the birth place of Dylan Thomas) on the same night, to be attended by Matthew Rhys. A national release follows in the UK and Ireland on 27 June 2008. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0819714/releaseinfo Release Dates for "The Edge of Love"] , IMDb. Accessed 22 May 2008.] An exhibition of costumes, scripts and props from the film is on display at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea until September.

Critical reaction

Critics gave the film very good reviews. As of 21 August 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 91% of the T-Meter critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 11 reviews, with excellent reviews for both Knightley and Miller. [cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1189844-the_bank_job/ |title=The Edge of Love - Movie Reviews, Trailers, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes |accessed 21 August 2008 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes] The Hollywood Reporter critic Ray Bennett commented that the Edge of Love is a "wonderfully atmospheric tale of love and war" and stated about Knightley and Miller that; "the film belongs to the women, with Knightley going from strength to strength (and showing she can sing!) and Miller again proving that she has everything it takes to be a major movie star.". [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=11261."]

Mark Kermode described the film as "inert" and said that the script was "flawed but not without merit" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/fivelive_aod.shtml?fivelive/kermode_200608] . The Independent felt that "Maybury's stylisation makes the film more interesting than it would have been if directed by your average British journeyman, but it finally adds up to earnest heritage romance. " [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/film-reviews/the-edge-of-love-15-851886.html]

Soundtrack

"The Edge Of Love" soundtrack was supervised by Angelo Badalamenti. It was recorded with the singers Siouxsie and Beth Rowley. Siouxsie stated she performed one song for the soundtrack, as well as Keira Knightley singing four tracks.

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0819714|title=The Edge of Love
* [http://theedgeoflove.co.uk/ "The Edge of Love" official web site]