The Razor's Edge
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Movie Reviews of The Razor's Edge
Movie Review: Knowledge is supreme
Summary: 5 Stars
Parent's Beware!
If you allow your 14 or 15 year old child to see this movie they will be exposed to a credible individual whose major intent in life is to acquire knowledge and not money. Now you may want to encourage this notion or dissuade it, so be careful. For me, seeing it at the age of 15 was a life altering event; I believe for the good.
Movie Review: The razors Edge
Summary: 5 Stars
A real Somerst Maugham Classic. Wonderfull acting by all the cast members. Not to be missed.Movie Review: Did people really live like this?
Summary: 3 Stars
This adaptation of Somerset Maugham's classic novel The Razor's Edge is a period piece that displays the craft of the major studios at its height. The film stays reasonably close to the novel, but the characters are far less nuanced. Gene Tierney's Isabel is a flighty socialite who sells herself for "a square cut diamond and sable coat," as Maugham in the role of narrator says. Uncle Elliot doesn't come off as the superficial, generous and ultimately heartbreaking character he is in the novel. And due to the mores of the time, the seedier side of Larry's (Tyrone Power) adventures is eliminated. Nevertheless, the movie is lavishly filmed, and you'll enjoy the country club dances, gorgeous decor, and spiffy dress. To get to the essence of why this book is Maugham's most well-known, however, read it.Movie Review: Life on the Razor's Edge
Summary: 4 Stars
Well directed and acted, The Razor's Edge is a minor epic of sorts. It is polished, classy, lavish; has a large budget and cast (but not of thousands); and spans a series of earthshaking events of historical significance. W. Somerset Maugham sees us all living on the edge of peril in one way or another. Most do so unsuspectingly; a few as a matter of volition. Maugham takes us on a journey through the lives of a group of friends from their post-World War One, halcyon days to the dark years following the 1929 stock market crash.
As the story begins, the main characters, unaware of their fate, live precariously close to the edge of ruin. For Isabel and Gray Maturin (Gene Tierney, John Payne) it is financial; Sophie Macdonald (Anne Baxter) has no bulwark against the whips of `outrageous fortune' in her family life; and Maugham's good "chum," Elliot Templeton (Clifton Webb), the persnickety, unmarried uncle, draws nearer to the end of his time on earth.
Maugham fixes the source of human tragedy deeply within the heavens, not any flaw in individual character. Circumstance and the times we live in govern destiny, as mortals skirt the brink of disaster, helpless to prevent being sucked into a maelstrom of adversity. At one point, shocked and stunned by the news of Sophie's life of despair, Larry Darrel remarks, "She was as normal as any person I know."
Only Darrell (Tyrone Power) embraces hardship consciously after undergoing a spiritual transformation brought about by the death of a friend who died saving his life during "the war to end all wars." He willing sacrifices love and career to `the death by a thousand cuts' by going on a life's journey, choosing the path of a wandering ascetic, working hard, parlous jobs; and seeks enlightenment from an Indian holy man residing on a remote mountain top to discover himself, and meaning in life. This element of the plot provides a few awkward moments for an otherwise entertaining film, but nevertheless, concerns a passage undertaken by like-minded mendicants since ancient times. Larry, above all, abides by the proverb "Physician heal thyself," and acquires a measure of spiritual power to rejuvenate spent souls. But, he is no match for the cunning, `unenlightened' Isabel.
The Maturins, living like the fable halcyon perched near the jagged edge of a precipice, have made their nest too close to a raging sea. After the great crash, they discover there is nothing sure to build on; as did Sophie Macdonald, cruelly woken up from her dream of domestic bliss. Maugham's world is one great paradox, as observed by Duke Vincentio in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure: "...merely, thou art death's fool; For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun, And yet runn'st toward him still." Maugham's keen sense of irony is at its sharpest; for Larry Darrel, the enlightened warrior for peace, avoids the worst by holding the blade securely to his bosom; not letting it slip.
Tyrone Power as the saintly, na?ve Larry Darrel appears to lack depth, but child-like innocence is characteristic of 'the pure in heart;' and is highly effective in his fair share of shock and revelation shots. Gene Tierney, Maugham's choice for the part, is at her best (it is hard to take your eyes off of her) and displays a variety of acting skills; likewise for Anne Baxter's moving performance as a fallen angel. Good-tempered, as in real-life, W. Somerset Maugham, flawless played by Herbert Marshall, is observer, and acts as advisor, mentor and councilor.
The Razor's Edge is a very good piece of filmmaking; and, in spite of few weaknesses, never fails to entertain. This film combines a dramatized version of Maugham's insights into the human condition with some exceptional cinematography, making it a marvelous movie to watch.
Movie Review: Entertaining but severely flawed.
Summary: 3 Stars
I am a huge Maugham fan and the novel on which this movie is based is nothing short of beautiful... he creates an entire world out of an admittedly artificial plot that would in the hands of lesser writers fall flat.
Sadly, that's what happens in this movie... the classic Hollywood actors, while charismatic in their own right, just don't pull this off. Tyrone Power is the WORST choice for Larry that could have been made (he looks like a banker here with his stiff posture and slicked back hair, certainly not like a vagabond loafer). Gene Tierney while perfect appearance wise for Isabel, played her far too coldly and one dimensionally. The actor who played Elliott was really good though.
Still, the movie is avant-garde for its times in certain scenes, and was enjoyable enough to watch. I'm just begging you to read the novel if you haven't already; there are some essential scenes that were left out of the movie, and the incredible detail of the book puts Larry's improbable spiritual journey into context (while in the film the enlightenment thing comes off laughably random). This movie simplifies way too much for my liking, in favor of overacting and the pace of an adventure movie.