Rent The Edge on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: David Mamet
Directed by: Lee Tamahori
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Elle Macpherson, Harold Perrineau
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
A billionaire and a fashion photographer are stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with a killer bear on their trail.
Verdict
It's a survival movie that manages to find a sense of realism and show us a few neat survival tricks. They're also pursued by a bear, and the frequent appearances of the bear emphasize their helplessness, establishing the dire situation. If that wasn't enough, the two men seem to be at odds as they fight over the same woman, creating a question of how devoted they are to ensuring the other survives. This is a great adventure, and the scenery is impressive.
Watch It.
Review
Billionaire Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) joins his wife Mickey (Elle Macpherson) on an Alaskan retreat. While we're told that are several bears in the area, Charles isn't chasing thrills, though the bears are foreshadowing. Mickey has a photo shoot with photographer Bob (Alec Baldwin). They have enough time to throw Charles a surprise birthday party where they frighten him with a bear skin rug. He's so startled that he falls to the floor which has to be embarrassing.
Charles, Bob, and Stephen (Harold Perrineau) end up flying to find a local hunter to pose in the shoot Bob and Charles don't get along, with Charles suspicious Bob has an interest in Mickey. Veiled insults lead to Charles asking Bob how he intends to kill him. It's foreshadowing with immediate consequences as a flock of geese impact the plane causing it to crash.
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| Anthony Hopkins, Harold Perrineau, Alec Baldwin play Charles Morse, Stephen, Bob Green |
Charles has read a lot about survival, and now he gets to put it to the test as he, Bob, and Stephen are stranded in the wilderness. Charles still thinks Bob wants to kill him for his money and wife. Bob doesn't dispel that notion, but they find a bear which diverts their attentions and argument. Despite Charles's knowledge, they end up walking in circles. Charles had a great idea with a makeshift compass, but holding it near his metal belt skewed their results.
The situation keeps getting worse, and it's clear doubt is overtaking them. It doesn't help that a bear seems to be stalking them. Charles reconsiders Bob's motives when Bob saves him after Charles falls into a river. They can't escape the bear and Charles decides they must kill it. He develops a trap that doesn't work as intended. With Bob injured, Charles is pitted against a bear holding only a wooden spear.
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| Alec Baldwin, Anthony Hopkins play Bob Green Charles Morse |
Their quest for survival is complicated by this tension between Charles and Bob. Despite the circumstances, Charles finds confirmation his wife has a relationship with Bob. It was more than just suspicion when Charles thought Bob wanted him dead. Bob admits as much since he doubts they'll be saved, but if that was his goal he missed several opportunities for no real reason than to prolong the movie. By the time he decides to carry out his plan, he's backed himself into a corner.
Charles and Bob manage to get back to their lodge. Charles reveals to Mickey he's aware of what she's done. He also acknowledges that he wouldn't have survived without Bob and Stephen.
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