THE RAZOR'S EDGE

US, 1984, 123 minutes, Colour.
Bill Murray, Teresa Russell, Catherine Hicks, Denholm Elliott, James Keach, Peter Vaughan, Faith Brook, Andre Maranne.
Directed by John Byrum.

This is the second version of Somerset Maugham's film about an American search for the meaning of life, the razor's edge. The 1946 version, directed by Edmund Goulding, starred Tyrone Power in the central role with support from John Payne as his friend and Gene Tierney as Isobel with Anne Baxter in her Oscar-winning performance as Sophie. Clifton Webb was Elliott Templeton.

In this version, the central role is taken unexpectedly by Bill Murray. The performance was intended to break through Murray's comedy persona in films such as Stripes, Ghostbusters. However, it was not until the 90s that this actually happened. He gave strong performances in Groundhog Day and then, more seriously, in Ed Wood, Cradle Will Rock and, especially, Lost in Translation. He does not seem at ease in the role - reacting often rather than acting. This is somewhat strange as he co-wrote the screenplay with director John Byrum. Byrum is best known for such films as Inserts and Heartbeat. Denholm Elliott has the Clifton Webb role while Teresa Russell is in the Anne Baxter role. Catherine Hicks is the Gene Tierney character.

The film recreates the United States before America entered into World War One, the ambulance brigade and the traumatic effect on the young Americans going to help in the trenches in France. The repercussions of this experience on the central character are that he wants to live his life to the full, is not interested in riches, goes to France to work as a labourer, is advised to read Indian Hindu literature and visit a monastery in the mountains of India. He returns, almost a secular saint, but tragedy still stalks him.

The film is ambitious - but is slow moving and does not have the power that it might have.

1. Somerset Maugham's story? Its popularity? Previous film version? The search for the meaning of life, in the American context?

2. The re-creation of the US, Illinois 1916? The battlefields of France and the trenches, action? Life in Paris for the rich in the 20s, for the poor? America and wealth, the Depression? India and the mountain temples? Paris during the 30s, wealth and squalor? The range of experience presented and recreated? The musical score?

3. The title, the monk explaining the difficulties of walking through life and trying to retain spiritual meaning, walking on a razor's edge?

4. US 1916, life in Lake Forest, the fundraiser for the ambulance? People, ordinary, aristocratic, snobbish? The friendship between Gray and Larry, Isobel and Sophie and Bob? Growing up together, their ambitions, relationships? The decision of Gray and Larry to go to France? Bob remaining with Sophie? Elliott Templeton and his visit and the atmosphere of the old world in Illinois? Isobel's mother and her aristocratic ways? Larry and his meeting Isobel, her being in the kissing stand, the discussion about his going overseas, postponing the wedding? Gray and his being ready to go? Sophie, her love for Larry, pregnancy, with Bob? Making demands on him?

5. The war in France, Piedmont and his being in charge, the vehicles, the two Harvard men and their flash car and his destroying it? Larry's reaction to Piedmont and shooting the vehicle? The hard work, the trenches, in the line of fire, the suffering?

6. The return to America after the war, traumatic experience, Larry needing time? The effect on Gray? Meeting Sophie again? Larry's decision to go back to Paris, his explanation to Isobel that he wanted to seek the meaning of life? Elliott Templeton and his promising to arrange things, his voice-over and the irony of his lavish plans with the reality of Larry in the ship, his work? The visit of Isobel and her mother? Staying with Elliott, his wealth, his servant, George? Larry and his visits? His wanting to put off the marriage, his reading, his apartment, letting down the tray for his food? Isobel and her visit, staying, seeing the squalor, running away, back to America? Larry's anger?

7. Larry and his continued work, in the coalmines, rescuing the old man, discussions with him, the Upinishads? His going to Indiana, the trek, the owner of the boats thinking he was wealthy, taking him to the mountains, his trek to the peaks? His reading, his contemplation, asceticism? His discussions with the monk? His decision to return, the theme of the razor's edge?

8. The return to Paris, continuing to work in the fish markets? The chance encounter with Elliott and George? The information that Isobel was in Paris?

9. Isobel and her return to the United States, Gray's proposal, the wedding - and Sophie looking on? Sophie and the accident, the death of her husband and child, the nun and her giving spiritual comfort, Sophie's railing against her? The passing of the years, Isobel and her daughters, the death of Gray's father, difficult financial problems, the Depression and their loss of money, their going to France? Gray and his depression?

10. Larry coming, going upstairs to see Gray, the hypnotic effect of healing him? Happiness? Meeting Sophie, the reality of her situation? Larry and his hoping to save her, her not drinking, the drugs? The clash with the owner of the restaurant? Her being a prostitute in Paris? The plans for the marriage, Larry announcing it? Isobel's reaction, wanting to buy the dress, taking Sophie home, attacking her verbally, saying she would fail Larry? Sophie and her confronting Isobel with her emotions and feelings towards Larry? Leaving her with the drink? Sophie going back to the club, with the owner, Larry trying to persuade her to come, the fight and his being thrown out, having to identify her body and her throat being cut?

11. His confrontation of Isobel, blaming her for Sophie's death? Trying to get her to accept this? Elliott dying, George and his hint about the invitations, Larry pretending - and Elliott's elegant declining of the invitation because of his previous appointment with his Lord? His death, the effect on Isobel?

12. Larry and his future, continuing to search?

13. The credibility of the film and its themes, audiences identifying with the spiritual quest? The inadequacy of organised religion? The spiritual search, the interior search? Returning to ordinary life and being a redeemer within this life?