On The Edge (1985)
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Film: C+
Bruce Dern is a runner trying to make up for lost Olympic
glory in Rob Nilsson’s On The Edge, a 1985 film that was the end of a
long run of luck and great work for Dern in leads roles, but a fine performance
stuck in a dated film that became cable TV fodder and plays too often like a TV
movie today.
In real life, I do not think for all the films ever made
about running, none have been truly great.
One could argue for Loneliness Of A Long Distance Runner, but its
running is incidental to being a highlight of the British “angry young man”
cycle. As Wes Holman, Dern is no less
intense, though for different purposes.
Sometimes, one is reminded of his heroic performance in Silent Running
(reviewed elsewhere on this site), which was not a running film, but a Science
Fiction gem. His character is not as
existential, though, and that keeps On The Edge form achieving greatness
ultimately.
The letterboxed 1.85 X 1 image is dated, fuzzy, with color
that is off and a lack of detail.
Stefan Czapsky’s cinematography is at its best for the racing, but this
DVD just does not do justice to it. The
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is not very strong and despite this being a Dolby
analog A-type theatrical release, there are no serious surrounds here. Extras include a featurette and full-length
commentary by Nilsson and trailers for this a several other Koch DVD
titles. If you like Dern and/or
running, than the film is worth a look.
Otherwise, skip it.
- Nicholas Sheffo
