THE EDGE

US, 1997, 117 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Elle Macpherson, Harold Perrineau, Bart the Bear, L.Q.Jones, Kathleen Wilhoite.
Directed by Lee Tamahori.

Very much a man's film (including the brief appearances by Elle MacPherson? as Anthony Hopkins' wife and their repercussions on the plot). It was written by noted American playwright, David Mamet (American Buffalo, Glengarry Glen Ross) who knows the tough male psyche and tough male competitiveness. Direction is by Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors) who gives the film a strong physicality as Hopkins and Alec Baldwin try to survive in the Alaskan mountain wilds and confront, in a real and symbolic struggle, a killer bear (echoes of Moby Dick). One should add that the scenery is magnificent.

It is also Robert Bly, 'wildman' territory with men discovering aggression, their inner strengths and weaknesses, with male bonding and interdependence as well as rivalry.
Hopkins gives a fine performance. Baldwin's is more familiar. The action is too prolonged for an overall powerful impact - and the costume designer and make-up have made the men sometimes too comfortable and neat for their ordeal. But it is often a thoughtful action film.

1. The title? Interest in male characters, heroism, challenge? Nature?

2. The settings, the far north, the aerial shots, the resort, the river, the mountains and snow? Nature? The appearance of the bear? The musical score?

3. Anthony Hopkins as Charles versus Alec Baldwin as Robert?

4. The situation, Charles and his billionaire background, his wife, younger, the model? Persuaded to go on the journey? A man who lived in his head, full of detailed information, seemingly not practical? The journey, the photo shoot? The crew, going to the resort, listening to the manager and his stories about the bears, Native Americans?

5. The range of characters, being on the edge? The importance of the story about the bear, later appearance of the bear? Charles being frightened and surprised by Robert, the birthday celebration? His being a good sport? The gift of the watch from his wife and the engraving?

6. The story of the Native American, confronting the bear? Robert wanting this background for his photo shoot? The decision, the flight, persuading Charles to go? At the hut, nobody home, the decision to go forward? The flight, the flocks and the plane engines, the crash and the injuries? Surviving?

7. Audiences identifying with the characters, asking what they might do in similar situations? The distance needed to go back, differing abilities, the water, waterlogged, the matches, setting the fire, Charles and his working the compass? Their tracking, the difficulties, going in a circle?

8. The bear, listening to the advice, the confrontation, chasing? The photographer, being wounded, his death?

9. The fire, the nights, the two men travelling, the forest, and the water, the possibilities with the canoe?

10. The reappearance of the bear, running, Robert and his saving Charles in the water, saved from the bear?

11. The tension between the two men, Charles thinking the Robert wanted to kill him? The background of the affair, Charles’s wife? His discovery of the watch and the alternate engraving?

12. The confrontation, the canoe, the plan to kill the bear, the various tactics, running, the spears and the spikes, impaling the bear? Charles, the edge, actually killing the bear?

13. Robert, confrontation, not wanting to die, the gun, Charles and his stands, backing Robert into the pit, his death?

14. The return, the manager of the resort, congratulations? The confrontation with his wife?

15. A men’s story?