Edge of Winter

No idea why people are harshing on this movie. Yes, the plot is simple, but that's because it's not a horror flick or action flick - - it's a psychological family drama thriller. As in, tense.

There's beautiful scenery, minimal music, and other than a few scenes (not going to spoil that), most of what happens is fairly straightforward. Joel Kinnaman, looking a bit haggard, (the delicious co-star of The Killing) delivers top-notch acting, as do both of the boys. Their relationship and interaction is believable, and thankfully, there isn't any annoying precociousness or preciousness in the kid's characters.

I'm not sure what people were expecting from the movie, but after reading some of the reviews/comments, I watched it anyway, and I wasn't disappointed. If you're looking for something with a lot of violence or gore, or some feel-good story with a dramatic ending, this isn't the film for you. If you are looking for a somewhat bleak story line with great acting, then check it out.

I picked this one to watch because I like a lot of snow and snowbound adventures/misadventures; while not being wildly original and despite that gorgeous Lefevre being shown too little, it does feature Kinnaman's acting chops in quite a genuine portrayal. Having seen him in other stuff here and there, I was impressed. The story could be run on Lifetime's night lineup, but it's not reducible to that – the series of worsening events snowball inexorably without steering too hard toward this or that direction, holding on to a steady thread of realism. It's something to check out for a late chill-out, especially if curious about Kinnaman's role and work.

The only way this movie could have worked is if the casting was spot on, and the actors rose to the occasion. Never fear, as that's what Edge of Winter delivers. It's the sort of story where you might expect a few plot holes, but again, because the story and its arc are so carefully managed, with a believable script and good editing, such never comes to pass. Careful attention is paid to relationships and natural reactions to circumstance. This is especially so of the two boys, and of course, the father as he loses the plot. Because of this attention to detail the full gravity of the unfolding tragedy really hits you hard. The cameramen also, in the snowy depths of an arctic freeze, know exactly what they are doing. It's not the most fast paced or graphic movie I've ever seen, but the performances and the cinematography make Edge of Winter an easy watch of an uncomfortable topic.

This film is actually a tragedy. A parent who is on the verge of losing his two sons goes off the deep end. This is not too much of a stretch from reality. I can easily relate to a divorced father who is having trouble keeping his relationship going with his children; so can a few million other men. The fragility of life is extremely apparent in this film. Just one harsh random event can change lives forever. If the car doesn't crash, the rest does not happen. But it does crash. And the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Usually I go by the review from IMDb ...

This one I totally disagree with... It holds you on the Edge/ as the title reads. It is about an abusive situation and very realistically done. Most of know someone like this guy or have known ... He continues to make stupid decisions and the kids are trying to respect him as their parent until their sense of survival kicks in. This is a don't miss movie!!!