The Edge of Love Blu-ray Review

"The Edge of Love," presented in 1080p on Blu Ray, is a testament to the blending of traditional and cutting-edge filming techniques that mirror the dualistic essence of its story. Utilizing both 35mm film and the Panavision Genesis HD video camera, this film strikes a harmonious balance between the classic depth of field and color richness typically associated with film, and the clarity and noise control afforded by modern digital cameras. The high-definition AVC-encoded transfer showcases vivid contrasts, particularly in scenes utilizing bokeh effects to create beautifully soft out-of-focus backgrounds. Director John Maybury employs a stylized visual approach, using selective desaturation and color enhancement to evoke an atmospheric depth, with noticeable shifts in tonality to complement the narrative's mood swings. The outdoor scenes, especially those set against the Welsh countryside, pop with deep greens and blues, while indoor scenes resonate with a more subdued palette, emphasizing amber and sepia tones.

The intentional photography choices, including the use of diffusion filters and soft-focus lenses, are elevated by the Blu Ray's high resolution transfer, resulting in an image quality that's both detailed and dreamy. This creative decision enhances textures and complexions, lending the film an antique yet glamorous appearance. The subdued color palette and deliberate contrast levels contribute to the film's antique charm while maintaining good clarity across a variety of lighting conditions. However, the venture into digital effects occasionally detracts from the overall cinematic quality, introducing elements that feel more distracting than artistic.

Despite these minor qualms, "The Edge of Love" stands out for its visual storytelling, leveraging both the aesthetic qualities of 35mm film and the precision of HD video technology. The rich black levels and carefully moderated lighting complement the film's mood, presenting an image that's as compelling as its plot. While some purists may find fault with the digital interventions, the Blu Ray presentation does an exemplary job of showcasing Maybury's visionary approach to cinematography within this dour period piece.

"The Edge of Love" presents an aural experience that is as multifaceted and nuanced as the movie itself, courtesy of its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. It's splendid in drawing listeners into its period setting with an impressive array of sounds from ambient, everyday noises to the jarring chaos of war. The audio palette utilizes the full soundstage, offering rich clarity and sharp dynamic range across the spectrum. Whether it’s the atmospheric buzz of a crowded bar, the distant cry of seagulls, or the haunting wail of air raid sirens over London, each element is rendered with remarkable detail and spatial accuracy. Despite a slight muddiness in the lower frequencies during high-intensity scenes, such as the somewhat overbearing bass in the opening underground shelter sequence, the overall balance ensures that dialogue remains crisp and prominent against the background.

The creativity in sound design prominently features, blending domestic sounds with wartime echoes to craft auditory flashbacks that add depth to the narrative. This clever interplay enhances immersion, making each scene more impactful. However, there's a noted missed opportunity with Angelo Badalamenti’s emotionally charged score, which occasionally feels underutilized against the backdrop of characters who fail to resonate strongly with the audience. Such moments underscore a slight discord between the potential of sound to evoke strong emotional responses and its execution within the film's context.

Character voices maintain their integrity throughout, steering clear of compression or muddling even amid a bustling soundscape. The mix excels in its portrayal of environment, from the tranquility of Welsh shores to the visceral intensity of wartime Britain, benefitting from excellent channel separation and a well-calibrated bass response. The sonic environment meticulously crafted for "The Edge of Love" not only exceeds expectations for a dialogue-centric film but also enriches the viewing experience with its detailed and atmospheric soundfield.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Edge of Love" present a mix of standard and engaging content, showcasing both the conventional and the delightfully unexpected aspects of supplemental features. The highlight is undoubtedly the audio commentary with director John Maybury and actor Matthew Rhys, providing not just insights but a thoroughly entertaining experience through their candid, humorous observations, singling out the production's quirks and their co-stars in a light-hearted manner. This contrasts with the more standard fare: the "Looking Over The Edge of Love" featurette offers a brief glimpse behind the scenes through press junket interviews, mostly dominated by Keira Knightley's perspectives. The gag reel and standard definition trailer are typical of Blu-ray extras, adding little value overall. Despite these inclusions, the commentary stands out as a must-listen, breathing life into an otherwise mediocre collection of special features.

Extras included in this disc:

• Looking Over The Edge of Love: Compiled press junket interviews discussing character motivations and directorial insights.
• Gag Reel: A compilation of on-set mishaps, including misdelivered lines and physical comedy.
• Commentary with Director John Maybury and Actor Matthew Rhys: A standout addition featuring humorous, candid discussions between the director and actor.
• Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for the film.

"The Edge of Love," a period drama set against the bleak backdrop of 1940's London under the Blitz, while visually charming and lush, struggles to leave a compelling mark in the realm of cinematic storytelling. With Director John Maybury and cinematographer Jonathan Freeman at the helm, the film is undeniably gorgeous, capturing the essence of war-torn Britain with atmospheric finesse. However, this aesthetic achievement is overshadowed by a narrative that lacks focus and coherence. As it weaves through the turbulent relationships and volatile emotions of its characters, the film becomes a muddled exploration of love, loyalty, and betrayal, failing to anchor itself to a solid narrative foundation.

The performances within "The Edge of Love" stand out as its most redeeming quality, showcasing a talented cast that navigates through the script's complexities with noteworthy skill. Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller, portraying Vera Phillips and Caitlin MacNamara respectively, deliver strong portrayals of women bound by an unlikely friendship amidst the chaos of love and war. Matthew Rhys brings a certain depth to the enigmatic poet Dylan Thomas, while Cillian Murphy convincingly depicts William Killick's transformation from a lovestruck soldier to a man undone by jealousy and war's scars. Despite these commendable efforts, their characters often come across as self-absorbed and difficult to empathize with, a sentiment that is further amplified by the film's abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion.

While "The Edge of Love" might have aimed to present a poignant narrative on the complexities of human relationships against a historical backdrop, it ultimately falls short. The film's visual beauty and strong performances are not enough to counterbalance its narrative shortcomings. The screenplay, penned by Sharman Macdonald, briskly navigates through historical inaccuracies and melodramatic speculations without truly delving into the emotional depths of its characters. This results in a period piece that, despite its potential, becomes an underwhelmingly hollow portrayal of romance and friendship amidst the horrors of wartime Britain.

"The Edge of Love" Blu-ray release presents a bittersweet symphony of a film that, despite its stellar cast and aesthetically appealing production values, struggles to fulfill its narrative promises. The chemistry between Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller, encapsulated in a scene that has been marketed more for its suggestive visuals than its contribution to the narrative, serves as a metaphor for the film's overall allure - visually captivating yet lacking in substance. However, the inclusion of a humorous and engaging commentary track by John Maybury and Matthew Rhys offers a redeeming quality, showcasing a behind-the-scenes insight that is both witty and informative, adding a layer of enjoyment that the main feature struggles to consistently provide.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray excels with a strong audiovisual presentation that faithfully captures the period's aesthetic with crisp visuals and immersive sound. Yet, it stumbles when it comes to supplementary materials, which fail to significantly enhance the viewing experience or provide depth to what could have been a richly textured cinematic exploration of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas's life. The performances are commendable, with Knightley and Miller delivering strong roles, but they're hampered by a script that lacks focus and fails to delve deeply into the complexities of its characters, leaving viewers yearning for a more engaging narrative.

In conclusion, "The Edge of Love" on Blu-ray finds itself caught between the potential of its historical intrigue and the reality of its execution. While it benefits from a polished audiovisual presentation and a particularly entertaining commentary track, these features are not enough to compensate for a storyline that feels underdeveloped and meandering. This release may attract fans of the actors or those with a keen interest in the period, but it ultimately registers as a rather ornamental addition to one's collection, suitable for a curious rental rather than a definitive purchase.