EDGE OF DARKNESS

US, 2010, 117 minutes, Colour.
Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts, Jay O. Sanders, Denis O’ Hare.
Directed by Martin Campbell.

In 1985 the BBC screened a six part television series, Edge of Darkness, which went on to win awards and be considered as one of the best programs in BBC history. It was directed by Martin Campbell who went on to commercial success with the first James Bond film with Pierce Brosnan, Goldeneye, and the Zorro films with Antonio Banderas. He has now returned to Edge of Darkness, adapted for the screen, as was the 2009 adaptation of the series, State of Play.

The plot (and there is a powerful conspiracy plot in the plot) has been re-located to Massachusets and a Boston setting. It has also been adapted from the nuclear fears of the 1980s just prior to the arrival of Gorbachev on the world scene to the nuclear fears of the 21st century – with American companies covertly making nuclear weapons as the US accuses Iran of doing. So, Edge of Darkness remains topical.

The film also serves as an effective police thriller and investigation. When detective Tom Craven's daughter is shot on the doorstep of his home, it is presumed that he was the actual target. However, clues have been indicated already that his daughter was the real target. Craven grieves but continues at work and then follows the leads that bring him to a giant corporation which (as is frequently said by conspiring characters) brings finance to the state's economy. Northmoor is built on a site leased from the government where subterranean tunnels abound, enabling secret research and building to take place. It is presided over by Danny Huston who brings oily charm (and personal cowardice) to his character.

The film is significant with a return to the screen by Mel Gibson. Over 50 now, he is fit but his face looks lived in. He brings his sometimes steely look and stern visage to his role but also portrays some intensity and grief. Ray Winstone has an interesting role as a political fixer.

This is the kind of thriller that adult audiences find both interesting and thought-provoking. It has its grim and violent moments as Tom Craven struggles with the pain of the loss of his daughter and the feelings of vengeance countering his principled beliefs as an officer of the law.

1.A satisfying thriller? Police story? Conspiracy theory? Issues?

2.The adaptation of a six-hour television series from Britain? The transition from the UK to Massachusetts and Boston, 21st century?

3.The realism – heightened? Credible?

4.The city of Boston, the streets, the police precincts, Massachusetts and the Northmore plant, the hill – and the view from Bennett’s office? The musical score?

5.The opening, the bodies surfacing in the river, the moon, the title and the edge of darkness?

6.The American setting, government, nuclear development, nuclear weapons, the deceit and covert operations, protection and security, private security, the employment of fixers, indication of madness and power, violence and ruthlessness, lawlessness?

7.Tom and Emma, the use of home video, the father and the daughter in the past, the bonds between them – but distanced over the years? Seeing them together, her work as an intern, secrecy, her being sick, the ride in the car, talking with her father, intending to tell him the truth, her being shot on the doorstep? The later inserts of the video material, for Tom’s memories of his daughter? Her appearances, talking to him? The shaving sequence? The end and their walking off together?

8.Mel Gibson as Tom, age, experience, his wife, his daughter, his dedication to his job, his principles? The death of his daughter, going into shock, Bill’s arrival and offer of friendship (and the later Judas situation)? Washing the blood off, the decision to go to work, meeting with his boss, staying on the job, getting more information, identifying his daughter, taking the lock of hair – and its importance later for the radioactivity? The presumption that he was the target? The media reports about the events?

9.Tom and his brusqueness, irritability, going to look at his daughter’s possessions, the mobile phone, David’s address, David with the knife, the attack and the fight, talking, David and his fear, secrecy, security? Revisiting David, getting the information? David dead? Sitting on the sofa in front of the television?

10.Tom’s visit to John Bennett, Bennett’s manner, smooth, the beautiful view, the atmosphere of power, exercising charm, his lies, managing situations? His questions about Tom’s feelings of grief? The later encounter with Tom, the car, the gun to his head, Tom asking him about feelings of fear? His madness? The plans, the nuclear weapons? His treatment of the intruders, the radioactive attack in the tunnel? The senator and the company contributing to the economy of Massachusetts? The discussions with Moore and Milroy? Their condemnation of his behaviour, brash, the loose ends? His megalomania? The final attack in the house, the shootings, the milk and its being radioactive, his death?

11.Tom, the Geiger counter, the radioactive hair? Going to Northmore, going to David? The information about the intruders? Emma’s role? The death of David? Melissa, her fears? Giving the information about the group? Robinson? The DVD with Emma’s interview?

12.Robinson, Tom’s attack, the new deal? His confrontation with Sanderson, his being the lawyer for the senator and for Northmore?

13.Jedburgh, Ray Winstone and his presence and style? The confrontation with Milroy in the parking lot? His being a fixer, thirty years? Meeting Tom, the drink, the talk, his philosophy of life, being alone, trying to empathise with Tom and his grief? The cigar? Sinister? Power of life and death? The meeting in the park, talking with Tom? Going to the doctor, his illness, pills? The confrontation with Moore, Milroy and the senator? Killing them?

14.The senator, smooth talk, seemingly innocent? The television interview? The economy, Northmore? His being in league with Moore and Milroy? With Jedburgh? Critical of Jedburgh not killing Tom?

15.The media, their intrusion – and Tom sending the DVD of the interview to the girl from Fox News?

16.Bill, his initial help, his being pressurised by the government and Northmore, betraying Tom? The shooters? Their taking Tom, to Northmore? Tying him up, his escape, his confrontation and killing them? The security guard being his daughter’s killer?

17.Tom, alone, conscientious about his job, honest, his grief, the details of his investigation, his having nothing to lose? The milk and his using it? His skills in being aware that he was being followed, his crash into the assassin’s car, the arrest and the use of the police? His independence, his disgust at what had happened? His use of violence?

18.Covert activities and the approval of government? Conspiracies – conspiracy theories, inventions? Reality?