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FILMS
Macall Polay/Warner Bros.
Shawn Roberts and Mel Gibson in “Edge of Darkness,” which opened Jan. 29.
Well over the 'Edge'
The title of Mel Gibson’s latest action film is misleading.
“Edge of Darkness” (Warner Bros.) goes well over the edge and sinks into a dark world where violence and revenge are deemed viable solutions. In this dark world, a compelling, well-constructed story unfolds — though the dim moral message is a huge strike against it.
Gibson plays Tom Craven, a Boston homicide detective. His daugher, Emma, gets shot on his front porch to open the film.
At first it seems Detective Craven was the intended the target. But Craven soon discovers the assailant was gunning for his daughter.
He finds that the biotech company where his daughter worked was involved in questionable research. His daughter helped a group attempt to expose her company.
The people Craven interviews are killed after meeting with him. Craven is unabated — exercising as many legal options as possible before taking matters into his own hands.
There are some unbelievable plot points that crop up. Would Craven really find no legal recourse to avenge his daughter’s death? Would he find nothing but corruption?
The plot is engaging, but it is suspense that is the film’s true star. There are surprises and shocking scenes at nearly every turn. Director Martin Campbell does a wonderful job keeping audience members at the edge of their seats.
Recognizing injustice
Emma, who realizes pursuing justice could cost her life, does it anyway. Though the film makes no mention of religion, Emma’s passion mirrors the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which calls Catholics to seek justice against institutions that are acting immorally (909).
Working in the world, the laity bear the burden of recognizing injustices on a systematic level in the workplace. Emma is a passionate example of the importance of pursuing justice at all costs. Although her methods are not perfect, her inability to sit by and watch injustice fester is admirable.
Unfortunately, the other Craven in the film, Tom, takes the same principle to an evil extreme. His initial pursuit is reasoned, but as the story grows more complex, Craven ultimately resorts to violence.
The bloodthirsty, vengeful conclusion leaves one unsatisfied and ultimately saddened by the man Craven becomes at the film’s end.
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