The Razor's Edge

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John H While it very good parts it didn't really capture the spirit of the novel. Watchable but not grear Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/24/24 Full Review Mike G Spectacular movie, Bill Murry is a dynamic actor. Wonderful movie about, war, peace, love, friendship, personal and spiritual growth. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/23 Full Review j f Anne Baxter's Sophie is beyond words I care to write. So good. Love this movie. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/23/23 Full Review matthew d Iron wills clash with tender romance and a transcendent clarity. Director Edmund Goulding's epic romance drama The Razor's Edge (1946) has all the shock and intrigue of film noir with the searing passion and stark devastation of a period drama. Goulding's direction keeps the world lavish and ornate, while the characters face The Great Depression and endless heartache. It's similar to Jack Clayton's The Great Gatsby and Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence. I was so highly entertained by the funny satire of the rich and the gripping tragedy about the poor that The Razor's Edge flies by quickly. It never feels its massive 145 minute run-time. Editor J. Watson Webb Jr. cuts so swiftly that a single scene will transition into a years long gap into something new. The Razor's Edge punishes the apathetic wealthy with lifelong misery and loneliness, while the poor survive to enjoy life as they can. Writer Lamar Trotti adapts W. Somerset Maugham's classic novel with searing jokes and heartbreaking drama. I was both shocked and moved throughout The Razor's Edge as it questions our purpose in life and who gives us happiness. Tyrone Power's aloof hero Larry Darrell is captivating as he tries to find his way in life, while loving the woman he's with as affectionately as he can. He's a curiously passive protagonist, but engaging and astute in every moment. Power plays it intelligent, subtle, and kind in one of his best acting performances. Clifton Webb's Elliott Templeton is so hilariously pretentious with his rich social climbing and nonchalant attitude. His factiousness is so spirited and funny next to Herbert Marshall's cool and calm author and narrator W. Somerset Maugham. Lucile Watson is fun alongside Webb's Elliott with her cavalier tone as Louisa Bradley. Gene Tierney is phenomenal as the wickedly selfish, greedily shallow, and unspeakably cruel true antagonist Isabel Bradley. Her casting aside of her husband Gray Maturin, played by John Payne, is so dizzyingly callous and entertaining for her true love Larry. Tierney is gorgeous with her captivating eyes, pretty face, and graceful manner to contrast her sickening words. Anne Baxter is breathtaking in her natural beauty and fierce supporting role. She made me laugh, smile, and cry as the tragic figure of Sophie MacDonald. While Gene Tierney's Isabel is moody and ethereal, Anne Baxter is adorable in how grounded and touching she plays Sophie. It was wonderful to watch Gene Tierney and Anne Baxter, two of my all time favorite actresses, play femme fatales while sharing the silver screen. Elsa Lanchester has a funny cameo as Miss Keith near the end, while Fritz Kortner is gripping as a German hiding out from his past. Cecil Humphreys is outstanding as The Holy Man in India, despite being very English. His speech about what we choose to do with our lives is quite affecting. Arthur C. Miller's cinematography is beautiful as he captures in wide shots the opulence of the wealthy elites who idle away their lives in ornate homes with meaningless frivolity. His framing of the women in medium shots is certainly effective as you cannot take your eyes off of Gene Tierney or Anne Baxter. Richard Day and Nathan H. Juran's black and white art direction is stunning with all these amazing recreations of parts of the world from Chicago and Paris to India. Thomas Little's set decoration is as fancy as any classic period drama. Composer Alfred Newman conjures up a swelling score full of hope and desire. His music is simply dazzling and also serene as needed. I loved Ben Nye's perfect make-up for Gene Tierney and Anne Baxter as they look resplendent. Oleg Cassini's dresses are the stuff of dreams on Gene Tierney and Anne Baxter. In all, The Razor's Edge will dazzle you with its refined and massive production, while the heartfelt acting will find a deeper meaning for you in time. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review georgan g This film excels in every way. The gorgeous, talented cast plays out a terrific screen play about deep thinking. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review dave s The Razor's Edge, based on the W. Somerset Maugham novel, tells the story a Lawrence Darrow, a World War 1 veteran who is forced to reevaluate his values and priorities as the result of the traumas of war. Tyrone Power does a decent job in the lead role and Gene Tierney is solid as the love interest, but the Mid-Atlantic accents of the secondary cast become annoying very quickly. While the story of existential angst is certainly interesting, the movie relies too much on excessive dialogue instead of imagery. Even when alone on a mountaintop, his guru shows up, resulting in more unnecessary metaphysical blatherings. On top of it all, the swelling violins get tiresome and the whole affair runs far too long. It's an okay movie, but it has its flaws. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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