On the Edge

If Cillian Murphy had only one movie role to identify himself by, On the Edge should be it. You could almost feel the energy coming off his slender body in waves as he strode through the scenes, wise cracking one minute, driving a BMX off a cliff the next. In this story of Jonathon Breech, a young Irishman's battle with death, depression, and love, my only beef came with Jonathon Jackson's accent. It wasn't terrible, but it was enough to make me cringe a few times when I'd rather have concentrated on Cillian's ice blue eyes, Cillian's deep Irish brogue, Cillian's large, working man's hands... Well-known for playing mentally off-kilter roles, Cillian Murphy is one of those blue-eyed actors (Paul Newman, Robert Redford) who can emote with stillness. There were times when the soundtrack in this film seemed to dominate, catchy teeny-bopper gingles gangling in the background, and then the camera light would catch a certain nuance in his face. It was like seeing a window opened. If you're a romantic, this one is worth renting.

"On the Edge" is a touching story about people and life. It is too bad it never got a wider release, audiences would have appreciated it.

Cillian Murphy and Stephen Rea make this film. Murphy creates a relatable character with Jonathan, making us genuinely care for him and empathize with his pain. He is a talent to watch. Rea's subtle style of acting is perfect for the role of Dr. Figure. Their scenes together are funny and poignant at the same time. The dialogues between them are very well written, as are the ones between Jonathan and Rachel (the also good Tricia Vessey).

Since I always pay attention to a film's atmosphere, I have to say that I loved the atmosphere and cinematography in "On the Edge". There is a melancholy and earthy quality to the cinematography, which fits perfectly with the film's themes of joy, sorrow and, ultimately, life as the most valuable thing in the universe.

Everyone should see this film for its wonderful message and the acting.

9/10

After the death of his alcoholic father, Jonathan Breech (Cillian Murphy) steals the urn with his ashes from the house of his brother and drives a robbed car off a cliff to commit suicide. However her survives and accepts an alternative sentence of three months in therapy in a psychiatric hospital with a suicide group under the supervision of Dr. Figure (Stephen Rea). He befriends the disturbed Rachel Row (Tricia Vessey), who saw her mother dying in an accident, and Toby (Jonathan Jackson), who accidentally killed his brother in a car crash. During the treatment, the sarcastic Jonathan changes his behavior and sees the importance of being alive.

"On the Edge" explores an unusual theme - the behavior of persons that have survived a suicide attempt. However, the plot fails since it is pointless and the motives of the lead character to try to commit suicide are never clear: does he miss his alcoholic father, or is he simply a crazy disturbed young man? On the contrary, the motives of Rachel and Toby are very clear. The acting is great, with the exception of Stephen Rea, who has a weak performance in the role of a passive psychiatrist that does not seem to help his patients. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "A Beira da Loucura" ("On the Edge of the Madness")

i am tired of going into details on films . Cillian Murphy is captivating. The comedy is brilliant in timing and delivery and Stephen Rea plays it low profile in this film. Such constant and well done comedic content is based around young adults whon in despair do not wish to live and are institutionalised for it. (which is rare enough to find mental health assistance in ireland). the main character starts out wanting to end his life , commits sarcasm and jokes on all serious matters to hide his pain. He then through a series of life's common events, grows to appreciate life in a most touching way. as they say Tragedy Plus Time Equals Comedy" which seems to make a premise of this film yet for the character, his comedy stemming from pain grows to enlightenment. anyone who can understandably see the levels of mental depression in ireland that go without treatment can , i hope , relate to the issue at hand and appreciate the ability to laugh at life as well as treasure it. anyway this is how i interpret it, ( nothing worse than a critic, lol) ;-)

In a way, On the Edge is a wasted potential, but it's hardly a film that should be avoided.

Its main problem is the fact it doesn't offer anything new. Patients in the mental institution, group therapy, doctors, rebellious patient that just doesn't want to follow the routine. That's right: we've seen it all, and we've seen it better; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is simply too memorable and impossible to forget when watching one of the films about mental institutions.

On the Edge also feels a bit rushed, as if 30 minutes of it is missing. This doesn't let us get to know characters better or understand their stories.

But the film isn't completely bad. Stephen Rea does make us believe he's a doctor, and it's possible to sense a real person behind the professional persona, even if we never get to know much, if anything, about him. But the real heart of the film is Cillian Murphy, who manages to make his Jonathan as complex as the script allows him to.

He brings warmth, honesty and sarcasm to his character, without being over the top, even in extreme situations. Cillian Murphy is one of those actors who can speak with their eyes, and in this early role he proves himself as a talented actor that should not be overlooked.