Dr. Jekyll e Mr. Hyde: sull'orlo della follia

Excellent performance by none other than Anthony Perkins.

This 90's version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is impressive for it's high graphic content of sex and gore. Surely a delightful for horror fans who enjoy little known horror movies.

Mr. Perkins' character is shy, and sexual repressed, similar to Norman Bates from "Psycho". But this time Mr. Perkins' great performance is mainly because his character is similar to Norman a shy sexually repressed man), which is Anthony Perkins' most recognized performance ever.

The cockaine connection with the original Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is interesting and even uses slasher elements. The result: a wicked movie only for horror fans.

6/10

Anthony Perkins gives a bizarre and unhinged performance in this gothic style adaption of the Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde story complete with elements from Jack the Ripper. This time it's a cocaine-like substance which causes the good doctor to metamorph into the uncontrollable Jack Hyde. When Perkins is transformed into the savage beast he decides to make slashing the throats of prostitutes a hobby. Intriguing take on the over-played Jekyll and Hyde story with some twists and turns thrown in to keep the viewer interested. Also an excellent performance from Glynis Barber as Mrs.Jekyll. Atmospheric settings, weird situations, and over the top performances make this one an eye opener for anyone looking for something a little different. And when it comes to the role of Perkins, Edge of Sanity is a more than appropriate title.

To be honest, I have never seen or read the original story. Maybe this is a good thing, I don't know. As far as I can understand it gets the basic idea and only harshly does it re-make previous versions. Performances and film pace is overall OK. No stupid subplots and all, even some smiles raise from time to time. Due to some erotic scenes involving prostitutes, it can easily be characterized sexploitation, and as far as erotic stimulation is concerned, it scores quite high. Moreover having Anthony Perkins starring in it, it could easily be loved by horror completists or cultists. All in all, I had a nice time.

In Victorian London Anthony Perkins plays shy but brilliant Dr. Henry Jekyll. He has a loving wife (Glynis Barber), a beautiful home and is a respected man. One night he accidentally ingests some vapors from alcohol mixed with cocaine and becomes evil, vicious, sex-obsessed Mr. Hyde. Also around this time Jack the Ripper is killing prostitutes. Is it Perkins...or someone else?

This came and went VERY quickly in 1988. It was cut to ribbons by the MPAA and the critics called it a sick, unpleasant piece of trash with Perkins at his worst. While I agree it's no classic it's not the disaster I heard it was.

It's a very sleazy movie and makes no apologies for it (which is sort of refreshing). It's full of female nudity and even full frontal male (which was cut out of the R rated version). It is unpleasant with graphic stabbings but it's shot on elaborate, beautiful, expressionistic (check out Perkins' lab) sets. It's obvious a lot of money went into this. The script is also quite interesting getting into Jekyll's mind about what's going on.

Good acting all around helps. Ben Cole (looking like he came from "A Clockwork Orange") plays a male prostitute and is good. Barber is excellent as Jekyll's wife. All the ladies playing prostitutes are actually pretty good actresses--they're beautiful and have no trouble taking off their clothes. However Perkins holds this movie together. He does overact as Hyde but in a good way. When he's on screen you can't take your eyes off him.

The MGM DVD released a few years ago is the unrated version, not the R one as is advertised---not that I'm complaining. So it is graphic and unpleasant but also very interesting and well-made. Worth seeing if you're not easily offended. A 7.

This dreary film based on an intriguing concept which cross-contaminates the Jack the Ripper murders with the "Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde" story. For such a far fetched idea, the script is painfully grim, with Perkins seemingly reveling in his relentlessly character. The film feels European in its pacing and photography, with the Budapest locations filling in for 19th century London.

Director Kikoïne plays the film completely straight, the moody script offering no respite from the tedious reel of violence and perverse sexuality. Other than Perkins, the supporting cast is forgettable, much like the film itself. Failing on the level of being scary, or entertaining, it is hard to recommend anything about this. Perkins shows his talent, playing two vastly different characters without the aid of radical make-up effects.

Like a nightmare, this film feels so much longer than it actually is. It is perhaps the longest 85 minute film ever made, which is no compliment. The story does not seem to progress anywhere, the film relies entirely on violence and sex - and frankly, there is too much of each. Anthony Perkins is acting below his level here, which is a terrible shame considering his talent. It is quite amazing that he still shines even in this piece of traumatic drivel. This surely is no "Psycho".

In conclusion, "Edge of Sanity" is neither enjoyable or scary, which one would suppose makes it a poor attempt. This is a wasted concept, the possibilities for such a story are almost endless, so why is this film bogged down with it's long, boring script? Die-hard Perkins fans may draw something from this, but for the average movie goer, give it a miss.