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"EDGE OF DARKNESS" (2010) (Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone) (R) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate Extreme Extreme Heavy Extreme Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Heavy Extreme Extreme None Extreme Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate Minor Extreme Heavy Extreme QUICK TAKE: Suspense/Thriller: As a Boston detective tries to figure out who murdered his adult daughter and why, he uncovers a conspiracy that continues to grow to levels he never imagined. PLOT: Thomas Craven (MEL GIBSON) is a single dad and Boston detective who's happy that his 24-year-old daughter, Emma (BOJANA NOVAKOVIC), has arrived for a visit. A nuclear engineer in training at military contractor Northmoore, the young woman seems to have something on her mind. When she ends up vomiting blood, Thomas knows something isn't right, but as they leave the house to rush to the doctor, a masked man on the street blows her back into the house with a deadly shotgun blast. Shocked, but unable to think of anyone who would want him dead, Thomas sets out to find who's responsible, much to the chagrin of the case's lead detective, Bill Whitehouse (JAY O. SANDERS). Thomas begins with Emma's boyfriend, David Burnham (SHAWN ROBERTS), who he's never met but seems quite paranoid about being observed by people who don't want him to talk. With that only raising his suspicion, Thomas digs deeper by going up higher, including meeting with Northmoore CEO Jack Bennett (DANNY HUSTON) and eventually U.S. Senator Pine (DAMIAN YOUNG) who's benefitted from major contributions from that corporation. As he starts to piece together a growing conspiracy, Thomas must not only contend with Bennett's goons who want him silenced, but also Darius Jedburgh (RAY WINSTONE). He's nebulous figured hired by the Feds to clean up the mess, but his allegiance is questionable at best. From that point on, Thomas takes the law into his own hands while determined to bring his daughter's killers to his own brand of justice. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're into revenge and action-based thrillers, or are fans of Gibson or anyone else in the cast, they might be interested (older teens being the mostly likely group among kids). WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R For strong bloody violence and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: Considering what occurs in the film (murder, breaking the law, etc.), it doesn't seem likely many parents would consider any of the major characters (including the vengeful protagonist, despite his loss) as good role models. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this R-rated thriller. Profanity consists of at least 35 "f" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. There's brief, non-explicit, sexually related dialogue, while some briefly seen photo artwork shows nudity (butts). Violence consists of many people being shot and killed, while brutal fighting and beating of others also occurs. Most of that has varying degrees of bloody results, some of which are in the extreme, and those scenes and various moments of potential peril will likely be unsettling and/or suspenseful to viewers. That fighting and other behavior might be enticing for some kids to try to imitate, while all sorts of bad attitudes are present. A great deal of tense family material occurs, as does some drinking, brief smoking, and a brief drug reference. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, some handheld camerawork is present in the film, with varying degrees of movement. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Bill asks a grieving Thomas if he wants coffee or something stronger. He then states he knows there's a bottle of Crown Royal somewhere in the house collecting dust (but none is shown or consumed). Jedburgh takes a prescription pill with a drink (that Thomas has poured for him, but doesn't have any himself), and sarcastically comments about "pills, pills, pills," adding that they were taken in a different context when the men were younger. David returns home with a six-pack of beer (we see empty bottles in his place as well). He then has one. Jedburgh has a drink. Jedburgh has wine out in public. Jedburgh downs a prescription pill with a drink. BLOOD/GORE A body surfaces from under the water on a lake, followed by another and then a third (no blood or visible wounds). Thomas spots Emma making a vomiting motion by their open car door. We see some blood run from Emma's nose, and she wipes that on her hand. She then suddenly vomits a great deal of blood. As Thomas goes to rush Emma to the hospital, masked men are out on the street. One of them fires a shotgun that blasts her back through the door, mortally wounding her. She's quite bloody, and Thomas has her blood on him. Hours after her murder, Thomas wipes Emma's blood off his face, but upon realizing that's all he has left of her, he puts the washcloth in a glass to keep. He then watches as the bloody water goes down the sink drain. We briefly see a photo showing Emma's dead and bloody face/upper torso. We see Emma's sheet-covered body in the morgue, but there's no blood. Thomas sees a cop (with his back to the camera) urinating outside his house at night (nothing seen or heard) and he tells a person on the phone to instruct those cops to stop "pissing" in his bushes. David's face is a little bloody after fighting with Thomas. S.W.A.T. members burst through a door, guns drawn, and find a dead man with part of his head missing (with bloody results). We see photos of dead people. We see a dead man with a bloody bullet hole wound in the side of his head. As a young woman gets out of Thomas' car, a passing car suddenly strikes her (a big jump scene). Thomas rushes out to see her (she's bloody and we later hear in a coma and lost one leg), but then realizes the car is coming back at him. He fires his handgun many times, eventually hitting the driver (not seen, but we do see a little blood hit the windshield from inside the car). Thomas punches one of the bad guys, throws him off a low patio, kicks him, pins him to the ground, has him in a head-lock, and then punches him in the face and back (all of which leaves the man bloody). We see photos of dead and bloody people. Thomas vomits into the kitchen sink (mostly heard) from bad news he's just received. Thomas shoots a man dead, with bloody results. He then shoots another man in the leg, and then in the other leg, trying to make him say his name. When he does, Thomas repeatedly shoots and kills him. We don't see the impact, but do see some blood splatter onto Thomas. Thomas is then shot by another man, with Thomas shooting him back. The two then struggle, with Thomas pouring radioactive milk into that man's mouth, but he gets away. Thomas, who's somewhat bloody, then follows and shoots him in the neck, with very bloody results. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE All of those responsible for Emma's murder and attempts to cover that up (including trying to kill Thomas) obviously have bad attitudes. Following his daughter's murder, Thomas starts taking the law into his own hands, including breaking and entering, beating up others, and finally killing various people. Jedburgh is a nebulous figure hired by some federal officials to cover up their mess, and he ends up murdering various people. We learn that someone working for Bennett or some feds killed three people associated with Emma. Bennett briefly chats with Thomas and ends by asking - not exactly in a sympathetic way -- what it feels like to lose a child. We hear that Emma snuck activists into her high security clearance workplace, and that they were purposefully radiated (by others). We hear that Bennett's company was a major donor to Senator Pine, thus influencing his behavior. Jedburgh has wine out in public. Thomas threatens that he'll forge a suspect's diary if needed. We hear allegations that Bennett's company is making covert nuclear weapons for foreign countries. Some viewers might not like Thomas (who was in the military and saw deadly action) discrediting military-based Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The goons working for Bennett and/or the corrupt feds also have bad attitudes. Bill informs Thomas that the latter is going to be set-up for the murder of another man, and we then see that he's given up Thomas to the bad guys. FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence," "Blood/Gore" and "Jump Scenes" may be unsettling, suspenseful or scary to viewers, especially younger ones and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material. We see some blood run from Emma's nose, and she wipes that on her hand. She then suddenly vomits a great deal of blood. David panics that Thomas is present with him, stating that others are watching and listening, and Thomas' presence is putting him in danger. Thomas realizes an SUV is closely following him, so he pulls into a public rest stop and goes into the bathroom. He then kicks out a window to escape, while the two dangerous men come in and slowly look for him. When they rush out, they see that he smashed their windshield and flattened at least one tire, with him then speeding away. As a young woman gets out of Thomas' car, a passing car suddenly strikes her (a big jump scene). Thomas rushes out to see her (she's bloody and we later hear in a coma and lost one leg), but then realizes the car is coming back at him. He fires his handgun many times, eventually hitting the driver (not seen, but we do see a little blood hit the windshield from inside the car). The car then swerves off the road, hits an embankment and sails into a river into which it starts to sink. GUNS/WEAPONS Handguns/Shotgun/Knife: Carried and/or used to threaten, wound or kill others and/or cause property damage. See "Violence" for details. We see that Thomas keeps his handgun and badge in a cake holder at home. There's a sudden sound that startles Thomas out of a dream, prompting him to panic and pull his gun. Thomas finds a handgun among Emma's things she brought to his house. He then does a weapons search that shows it belongs to David. S.W.A.T. members burst through a door, guns drawn, and find a dead man with part of his head missing (with bloody results). They also spot a shotgun in the place. When Jedburgh surprises him, Thomas pulls his handgun on him. Thomas gives David his handgun back. Realizing he's being followed again by the bad guys in an SUV, Thomas suddenly backs his car into that, gets out, and aims his gun at the two men inside. He and other arriving cops aim guns at those two as they're arrested (and we hear -- but don't see -- that they have automatic weapons in their vehicle). IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Who the f*ck do you think you are?" "You gotta get the f*ck out of here right now," "Right f*cking now," "Stand the f*ck up" (also said in another language), "What the f*ck /are you burning out there/do you think you just did?" "You're a smart f*cker," "New age f*ck-ups," "F*ck off," "Clever, clever f*ckers," "I'll forge your f*cking diary," "Fasten your f*cking seatbelt," "M*therf*cker," "Completely f*cking insane," "F*ck you, it's classified," "F*ckers," "Are you out of your f*cking mind?" "You're all f*cked up," "You f*ck," "Turn this sh*t off," "Bullsh*t," "Scared sh*t-less," "Not that I don't have you by the balls already," "Poor bastard," "Bollocks," "Everything's illegal in Massachusetts," "Big ass," "I lied my ass off," "Freaks," "You son of a bitch" and "Shut up." The fighting and other action might be enticing for some kids to try to imitate. We see that Thomas keeps his handgun and badge in a cake holder at home. Thomas burns evidence in a barrel out in his yard. Thomas swerves through traffic as he pursues Bennett's car. After pulling it over, he gets out, handgun at the ready, and punches through the driver's side window, knocking out the driver. He then gets into the back and aims his handgun at Bennett, all to make him realize the severity of the situation. Jedburgh has wine out in public. Realizing he's being followed again by the bad guys in an SUV, Thomas suddenly backs his car into that, gets out, and aims his gun at the two men inside. JUMP SCENES Emma is suddenly hit by a shotgun blast and blown back through the front door. There's a sudden sound that startles Thomas out of a dream, prompting him to panic and pull his gun. There's a sudden sound in a parking garage, making a fed nervous. When he turns, Jedburgh is suddenly there. S.W.A.T. members burst through a door. As a young woman gets out of Thomas' car, a passing car suddenly strikes her (a big jump scene). MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) An extreme amount of suspenseful, ominous and heavily dramatic music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 35 "f" words (1 used with "mother"), 6 "s" words, 4 asses (2 used with "hole"), 1 bollocks, 1 hell, 1 S.O.B., 2 uses each of "Jesus" and "Jesus Christ" and 1 use each of "God" and "G-damn." SEX/NUDITY Thomas spots Emma making a vomiting motion by their open car door. Moments later, he indirectly comments on that and she states that she isn't pregnant. We see Emma's sheet-covered body in the morgue, with sheet showing her bare shoulders and top of chest, but no breasts. About having evidence on David, Thomas tells him, "Not that I don't have you by the balls already." We briefly see some artsy framed nude photos on Emma's wall (from a distance), with one showing a bare woman's butt, and another showing the side of a bare butt while the figure is bent over. Thomas confronts Pine's attorney, saying that man had two agendas regarding Emma, the first of which was wanting to have sex with her. SMOKING Jedburgh offers Thomas a cigar. The latter declines, but Jedburgh then smokes one. Later, we see a used cigar (presumably Jedburgh's) in an ashtray containing other butts in David's place. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Thomas is single, but we don't know if he's divorced or widowed. Emma dies in Thomas' arms after she's shot by a masked assailant. Hours after her murder, Thomas wipes Emma's blood off his face, but upon realizing that's all he has left of her, he puts the washcloth in a glass to keep. He then watches as the bloody water goes down the sink drain. At various points after her death, Thomas hears or sees different versions of Emma (as a girl and young adult). Thomas must i.d. his daughter's body in a morgue. He kisses her on the forehead and then leaves with a lock of her hair. Thomas pours out his daughter's cremated ashes into the surf at a beach. David reminds Thomas that the latter never visited Emma while she was alive. Bennett briefly chats with Thomas and ends by wondering what it feels like to lose a child. Some viewers might not like Thomas (who was in the military and saw deadly action) discrediting military-based Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We see an imagined view or the spirit of an adult daughter caring for her dying father. We then see the two walking out together from the hospital (that being their spirits). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Losing a family member to a violent act. Why a cop wouldn't be allowed to work on his daughter's murder case. Using a Geiger counter he found among Emma's things, Thomas learns that the lock of Emma's hair that he has is radioactive. Bennett states that his company is doing nuclear fusion energy research, and then that they manage raw materials for nuclear weapons. Being a whistleblower and the risks associated with that. Jedburgh informs Thomas that Emma was considered a potential terrorist threat. The comment that there's a point when someone becomes an activist and thus stops being their old self. We hear that Bennett's company was a major donor to Senator Pine, thus influencing his behavior. VIOLENCE A body surfaces from under the water on a lake, followed by another and then a third (no blood or visible wounds). That's the result of unseen violence. As Thomas goes to rush Emma to the hospital, masked men are out on the street. One of them fires a shotgun that blasts her back through the door, mortally wounding her. She's quite bloody, and Thomas has her blood on him. David readies a large knife as he sees and then hears Thomas approaching his door. After Thomas picks the lock, he slowly enters, handgun first, with David slamming the door into his arm. The two then struggle and fight, including him slamming David into a wall and furniture, while David throws things at him. Thomas punches him several times and then pins David to the floor. S.W.A.T. members burst through a door, guns drawn, and find a dead man with part of his head missing (with bloody results). They also spot a shotgun in the place. Thomas shoves David back and to the floor. Thomas realizes an SUV is closely following him, so he pulls into a public rest stop and goes into the bathroom. He then kicks out a window to escape, while the two dangerous men come in and slowly look for him. When they rush out, they see that he smashed their windshield and flattened at least one tire, with him then speeding away. Thomas swerves through traffic as he pursues Bennett's car. After pulling it over, he gets out, handgun at the ready, and punches through the driver's side window, knocking out the driver. He then gets into the back and aims his handgun at Bennett, all to make him realize the severity of the situation. We see a dead man with a bloody bullet hole wound in the side of his head (the result of unseen violence). As a young woman gets out of Thomas' car, a passing car suddenly strikes her (a big jump scene). Thomas rushes out to see her (she's bloody and we later hear in a coma and lost one leg), but then realizes the car is coming back at him. He fires his handgun many times, eventually hitting the driver (not seen, but we do see a little blood hit the windshield from inside the car). The car then swerves off the road, hits an embankment and sails into a river into which it starts to sink. Thomas punches one of the bad guys, throws him off a low patio, kicks him, pins him to the ground, has him in a head-lock, and then punches him in the face and back (all of which leaves the man bloody). Realizing he's being followed again by the bad guys in an SUV, Thomas suddenly backs his car into that, gets out, and aims his gun at the two men inside. A bad guy zaps Thomas unconscious. When Thomas comes to, he finds himself cuffed to a gurney, apparently having been exposed to large amounts of radiation. He then kicks the handrail off to free one arm, and then pretends to be unconscious when a man enters to check on him. Thomas then head-butts and punches the man, followed by pushing the gurney into him. We then see that man on the floor, while Thomas pushes a second man against a wall to which he slams a large wrench as a threat. Thomas shoots a man dead, with bloody results. He then shoots another man in the leg, and then in the other leg, trying to make him say his name. When he does, Thomas repeatedly shoots and kills him. We don't see the impact, but do see some blood splatter onto Thomas. Thomas is then shot by another man, with Thomas shooting him back. The two then struggle, with Thomas pouring radioactive milk into that man's mouth, but he gets away. Thomas, who's somewhat bloody, then follows and shoots him in the neck, with very bloody results. We see a flashback to Emma being shot on her dad's front steps. A man shoots two men dead, followed by killing a third. A cop then aims his gun at him and the killer allows the young cop to shoot him dead. Reviewed January 26, 2010 / Posted January 29, 2010

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