Razor's Edge

- As its primary theme the central problem of every individual life - to pursue one's own unique self-completion in life, or fall away and join the herd.

- At least six characters written and performed more deeply than the lead character in almost all of the films found in AFI's puerile gen x list.

- Fine, thoughtful, inspiring, strong screenwriting throughout, executed flawlessly.

- Unlike the usually rushed and shallow Hollywood output these days, this is a unique film unfolding at the highest levels of meaning by and for adults.


Paula Schaefer   December 25, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I saw this movie when I was a teenager and I can still remember it as being one of the most powerful movies that left a lasting effect on me.

I have suffered many chronic illnesses and the premis of this movie has helped me a great deal. Yes the movie is old, but the message is still there. I am delighted to find this movie for sale, as I have not found it in any local video stores and I have looked for years.


The pure pursuit of inner perfection -- no greater thrill   February 26, 2004
Robert E. Henry (Hopewell, NJ USA)
5 out of 10 found this review helpful

Words fall short in the praise of this remarkably uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable film that dares to show an individual in pursuit of the Sublime -- that elusive commodity explored by the classical Roman Longinus in his treatise, "On the Sublime," a seminal work of inspiration to the Renaissance over a thousand years afterwards. This landmark movie might have anticipated the Sixties idealists who tried, however tragically and unsuccessfully, to turn away from monetary and social success to find their souls -- only this movie's hero, admirably portrayed by Tyrone Power, does not fail.

The film goes where venal Hollywood rarely ventures: the spiritual longing in all our hearts that demands that we take ourselves away from the distractions and illusions of success that Society dangles before us. This movie is a defining work on the pursuit of inner peace and perfection in the real world, the heroic, quixotic pursuit of the "Life Worth Living." It explores with dazzling creativity -- plot, script, casting and direction -- the timeless "what if" proposition. What if a man with everything going for him -- good looks, a "goddess" for a fiancee, money, social graces and social position -- realized that Holy Scripture was right when it said, "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity"? What would happen in the 20th century if, like Eliseus when the prophet Elias threw his holy cloak over him, our protagonist turned away from the pursuits of the world to pursue Truth alone -- without compromise in any way?

If you have ever wanted a little encouragement in thinking on the level of the sublime, ever yearned to live your one-and-only life in accordance with God's holy plan, then this film is for you. Oddly enough, it doesn't preach -- that's for non-artistic bumblers like myself futilely trying to capture the essence of the film to do! -- and even more oddly enough, it is ultimately a "feel-good" film. It never compromises, but remains intellectually and artistically honest. A masterful tour de force of the human spirit seeking to triumph over the profane, "The Razor's Edge" is for us all. How can we do other than rejoice with the inspired cast, crew and director who told this tale of the spiritual "knight errant" armed only with his curiosity and a seeking heart to find meaning in life? How hard has each age sought to find meaning in our short span here on Earth? And if this movie does not give us the final answers -- again, it doesn't preach, and so it never pretends to answer the questions -- it holds aloft some of the essential questions. It is, after all, up to us to answer them as the Spirit moves us individually.

Bravo to those who had the courage and integrity to make this epic film for us. We are the better for it. How rarely does art ever try for the Sublime -- then make it so thoroughly enjoyable! How fortunate for us when art like this succeeds. Longinus, your quest continues!


Post war blockbuster   August 24, 2006
Douglas M
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

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.