The Razor's Edge
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Movie Reviews of The Razor's Edge
Movie Review: Somerset Maugham's "THE RAZOR'S EDGE"
Summary: 4 Stars
Tyrone Power ("The Mark of Zorro" (1940) stars as Larry Darrell, a WWI veteran who finds he cannot settle back into the world of high society after his life was spared and other men's were not. Larry leaves his debutante fianc?e, Isabel Bradley (played by the beautiful Gene Tierney, "Laura,"(1944) "Leave Her To Heaven"(1945) in search of inner peace and the true meaning of his life.
Complicated at times, however, Clifton Webb, ("Laura"(1944) "Titanic"(1953) as Elliot Templeton, Isabel's wealthy, social climbing uncle, gives a fine performance with comic flair. Herbert Marshall ("The Letter" (1940) "Phantom of the Opera" (1962) narrates, as well as stars as the famed author, Somerset Maugham, who observes the unfolding drama surrounding him. John Payne ("Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) stars as Larry's rival for Isabel, and Anne Baxter ("All About Eve"(1950) puts in an Academy Award winning performance as Sophie, the once happily married friend of Isabel, but as the movie progresses, becomes a depressed, widowed alcoholic. Filmed in glorious b&w, the dvd transfer is flawless, and the sound is clear and crisp.
Special features include commentary / Somerset Maugham's book honored on a Fox Movie Tone News reel / "Along Broadway" showing the film's premier and the famous people who attended, including film stars Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, and Clifton Webb / Lionel Barrymore presenting the Academy Award for best supporting actress to Anne Baxter.
"The Razor's Edge" is an enjoyable film and was nominated for the 1946 Academy Award for Best Picture. Fans of classic cinema will want to check this one out and classic movie dvd collectors will want to add it to their libraries.
Movie Review: The Razor's Edge should have been used in the Cutting Room
Summary: 3 Stars
I have heard of both the movie and the book. I just recently was sent a copy of the book but I thought I'd check out the movie first (not my usual choice of order). I will gladly read the book because the movie suggests that there is a noteworthy story to be found in it. However, the film version (at least this one) does not carry the message well. Part of the problem is the acting. Tyrone Power is supposed to be a lost young man. The problem seems to be, however, that he is lost in trying to figure out the script. His emotions (or lack thereof) don't match the words he says nor the circumstances he's in. On a scale of 1-100 he has an emotional range of about a 5. To question all he questions and search as far as he searches, one would expect to see a brighter bulb burning inside.
The other problem with the movie (and maybe with the book as well-I'll know later) is that we have far too many cocktail parties and far too few trips to India. Much of this movie is clothed in formal wear as we see a man search for the real meaning of life. Clifton Webb's character has a lot to say about high society but little of it would be relevant to Tyrone Power's search. Hemingway may not be perfect but he had a far better concept of the issues present here. Imagine Jack Kerouac writing "On the Road" in the back of a limosine and you'll have an idea of the "meaning of life" that's depicted here.
Aside from Power's screen idol preformance, the rest of the cast goes from mechanical (Herbert Marshall) to near-great (Clifton Webb) but mostly just mediocre. The directing and film editing did not reach any great heights either. There were a few scenes where we wanted more such as the one with the miners in the tavern. However, those got short-changed in favor a lengthier romantic scenes (maybe those DID depict the meaning of life in some minds). At one point, we get such an awkward insert of a personal tragedy that it probably would have been better to depict the event through dialogue later on.
Oh well, "The Razor's Edge" is more about discovering the meaning of Hollywood than the meaning of life.
Movie Review: tyrone power messes up another one
Summary: 3 Stars
does it seem that ive been watching a lot of tyrone power movies? believe me, its purely coincidence as i get caught up on all these academy award winners. this adaptation of somerset maughams novel was a BIG movie when it came out, and sad to say (as usual) power was not up to the task. while clifton webb, anne baxter, and (even) gene tierney give strong performances, power is just not up to the task (and yes, folks, i DID see the bill murray movie, and yes, bill WAS better). the movies take on far eastern philosophy is shallow, and never having read the book (and its not in my top 500 to read) i dont know if the fault lies with maugham or 20th century fox or both. still, theres alot of fun opulence and hamminess to enjoy, so id recommend it to the curious.
Movie Review: Don't cut yourself on the edge of your seat
Summary: 4 Stars
Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power) is back from WWII with an insatiable desire to see the world, in search of himself and the meaning of life. Isabel Bradley (Gene Tierney) wants to marry, have children and build on the capitalistic advantages of post-war industry in the U.S. Like oil and water, the two ideas don't mix so Larry becomes an international "loafer" and to the delight of Isabel's self-absorbed uncle Elliot Templeton (Clifton Webb), she marries millionaire Gray Maturin (John Payne). It seems like a short and tidy story but this two-and-a-half hour epic had a 4-million dollar budget for 89 sets, 136 supporting actors and 16,000 extras.
In the beginning Isabel is meek and compassionate. As time progresses she becomes firm and decisive. But watch out when her possessiveness sees the light of day. Dock your boats; lock up the booze; hide anything remotely dangerous. Gene Tierney is in the house!
Some fault the performance of Tyrone Power. Like Glen Ford, James Stewart or Gregory Peck, Power is no character actor. What you see is the real him, even if it appears a bit melodramatic from his broadway background. The most dramatic role I've seen Power in is WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION. Though THE RAZOR'S EDGE requires less range of emotion, Power is quite similar.
THE RAZOR'S EDGE delivers the requisite intrigue to earn an Academy Award Oscar for Best Actress in a supporting role, two Golden Globes, and several nominations. There are times when Larry Darrell's indifference is irritating but that's why Isabel thought she dumped him. Despite some slow spots THE RAZOR'S EDGE includes enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Movie quote: "The enjoyment of art is the only remaining ecstasy that's neither immoral nor illegal."
Movie Review: Post war blockbuster
Summary: 4 Stars
With the ending of World War 2, the American film moved to a more mature product which suited the postwar gravity and no studio was more at the forefront than 20th Century Fox. Many of their films of this period stand up better today than any other studio's output. "The Razor's Edge" is a long version of Somerset Maugham's novel in which Larry Darrell, played by Tyrone Power, explores "the meaning of life". The novel was probably unfilmable so if this version is not completely faithful, it certainly cleverly "adapts" the story.
The film celebrated the return of Tyrone Power to Fox after war duty and although he had matured as an actor, he gives a monotonous and wooden performance as Darrell. In fairness, the role is probably impossible. There are some deep and meaningful monologues which Power delivers with suitable conviction but it is never clear exactly what he is looking for or what he finds along the way. The screenplay has too many holes. It seems to be God/religion but this may have been impossible to expound in 1946 Hollywood. In the end, Power is described as a truly good man which seems a little thin after such a long journey.
More intelligible is Larry Darrell's rejection of materialism and this theme still resonates today. Gene Tierney plays Isabel who loves Power but gives him up for money and social position. Tierney's character symbolises a shallow and and selfish existence. She perfectly captures a manipulative predatory female beneath good looks and gracious manners. She is also spectacularly photographed and gowned. Anne Baxter won an Oscar for her portrayal of the tragic Sophie and she is touching, if somewhat overblown. Her scene with Tierney, who is like a serpent in the garden of Eden, when she takes to drink is riveting. When she finally succumbs to temptation, it is done with a minimum of histrionics. Clifton Webb as Tierney's snobbish uncle and Lucille Watson as her mother are excellent. Herbert Marshall plays Maugham himself and although he looks ill and haggard in some scenes, his commentary of the action is vital to the flow of the drama. John Payne plays the man Tierney marries for money and he is hopeless.
The film is sumptuously made with the exception of some poor backdrops in India which really undermine these crucial scenes. When Power leaves the hut in the mountains, the visuals are really over the top, heavy with symbolism and all but the angels singing! Edmund Goulding's direction uses long takes and sometimes you get the feeling that the movement of the actors, particularly Tierney and Power, is unnatural - move to position A, read lines, move to position B, turn etc. It is more like direction for the stage and it contributes to the static feeling the film engenders.
The DVD print is excellent and there is a worthwhile commentary which is neatly paced so you can watch the film at the same time. Two commentators share duties and they particularly remind us that Somerset Maugham was a giant in the literary world at the time the film was made. The other extras are minor. The film can be viewed as a biblical allegory and as such is quite successful. Otherwise, it may seem stilted and boring.