Today’s quick review: Edge of Darkness. When his daughter is gunned down on his front step, Boston detective Tom Craven (Mel Gibson) resolves to do whatever it takes to find the killer. His investigation leads him to Northmoor, the government contractor his daughter worked for, and a nuclear secret worth killing for. But to avenge his daughter, Tom must first overcome the vast resources of Jack Bennett (Danny Huston), the company’s corrupt CEO.
Edge of Darkness is a crime drama and mystery about a sinister cover-up. Edge of Darkness pits a bereaved Boston cop against a government contractor willing to deceive, discredit, or kill to protect its secrets. The movie does have a viable premise and a couple of satisfying moments as Tom exacts his revenge. However, the mystery itself is rather lackluster, while the movie’s dark tone and minimal amount of action keep it from working as a thriller.
Edge of Darkness is at its best when Tom takes direct action to locate his daughter’s killer. Northmoor has thrown up a smokescreen of false leads and intimidation; the moments when Tom cuts through it are the most rewarding of the movie. But these moments are rare compared to the more mundane legwork of Tom’s investigation. He spends most of the story simply retracing his daughter’s steps, earning one scrap of information at a time.
This formula would work better if the mystery had more substance. Edge of Darkness occupies itself with the details of Emma Craven’s death, but none of them are very important. Every clue points to Northmoor; Tom just has to expend a lot of effort proving their guilt to his satisfaction. There are no plot twists to speak of, just the gradual fleshing out of what is already known. The mystery feels one-dimensional in spite of its many moving parts.
Watch Edge of Darkness if you’re in the mood for a moody mystery and tale of revenge. The movie does have a decent plot and a fair bit of drama, but its core mystery doesn’t have enough meat on its bones to truly impress. Edge of Darkness makes for a fine pick, but it’s outclassed by crime movies that handle similar stories with more flair.
For another tale of vengeance over the deat of a loved one, try Rage or Acts of Vengeance. For a conspiracy investigation with more vivid characters and better time pressure, try Snake Eyes. For a more action-oriented thriller about a government cover-up, try Three Days of the Condor, Shooter, or the Bourne series.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a mystery that never quite comes together.