I won't bore you with plot points because I don't believe any self-respecting movie review should (hello Mr. Ebert). And anyway, like most good movies, "On The Edge" is the kind that should be watched with as little knowledge of the plot as possible so as to make its charm and impact that much more...charming and impactful.

Cillian Murphy (of "28 Days Later" fame) delivers a subtle, understated but no less brilliant performance as a young man quietly grappling with his fate, slowly coming to terms with the value and importance of his own life.

The script, often quirky and with a sometimes oddly upbeat feel for a movie that could have come off as an extreme downer, leaves plenty of room inbetween the lines for supporting actors Tricia Vessey and Jonathan Jackson to flex their more than capable acting muscles. Superlative acting vet Stephen Rea ("The Crying Game") is perfectly cast as a psychologist with baggage that's never so much stated as it is implied in his countenance.

But it's Cillian Murphy that carries the movie with the effortlessness of ease, and a presence and ability that belies his years. Seeing Murphy at work, it's easy to forget you're watching a movie, and I can't recall a time that I've been more moved or captivated by the depth of emotion and compassion expressed by an actor in a mere reaction shot. It's downright fascinating to watch him steal scenes without uttering a word or twitching a muscle. But thief he is, whether he knows it or not, and it's one of the many things that adds an extra notch of respectability to a movie already rife with it.

No less miraculous and awe-inspiring is director John Carney, who in addition to co-writing the script also scored the original music and sang lead vocal on the final song--something I haven't heard of being done since Sylvester Stallone crooned the theme song for his directorial debut "Paradise Alley" back when he was still respectable.

"On The Edge", although quite possibly a bit too emotionally heavy to watch time and time again, is without a doubt one of the best movies I have seen this year and is definitely worth a viewing.


on the edge of perfection   December 28, 2002
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

From the opening scene, it is evident you are watching a truly great movie. The story is essentially "boy interupted" with a bonus love story but the cast and cinematography are superior. Cillian Murphy is a gifted actor and I look forward to seeing more from him in the future. I highly recommend this movie, eventhough it would have been nice to have more special features since there are very few: bios, production notes and the trailer.