What Do The Critics Say?

"As long as you don't mind Dylan Thomas and his poetry taking a bit of a back seat, you will happily drift through a slick, well shot, competently-acted British film. It is also quite nice to see Sienna Miller actually do something, since I had no idea she was an actress - she seemed to be one of the photographed elite who appear in London Lite every other day doing newsworthy things like getting out of cabs, or leaving places. I'm happy to report she is also a feisty talented actress who hopefully has a bright future. Ewan Thomson ENTERTAINMENTWISE "The film's cinematic signature is made up of moody imagery that is still grounded in reality, but with poetic flourish. Angela Badalamenti's score is elegantly understated. It's an ideal film for all those who complain about too many brash, youth oriented popcorn movies." Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE "The reputation of Welsh writer Dylan Thomas as a boozy, obnoxious ingrate will not be enhanced by this solid, if melodramatic account of his life during World War II when his relationships with two women were rudely interrupted when one of them decided to marry a soldier." Jim Schembri THE AGE "The Edge of Love is an engaging and ultimately moving drama, thanks to Maybury's impressive direction and terrific performances from Knightley and Miller. Keira Knightley is sensational as Vera, delivering an impressive Welsh accent and even singing her own songs. Similarly, Sienna Miller displays heart-breaking vulnerability as Caitlin, while Murphy convincingly portrays the transformation from puppy-ish, naive and deeply smitten soldier to the brooding, jealous intensity of the wounded war veteran." Matthew Turner VIEW LONDON "The Edge Of Love does not paint Dylan Thomas in a particularly positive light. He is manipulative, cowardly and occasionally cruel. His wife Caitlin is vivacious, volatile and tangible, whereas Vera is otherworldly, a star in the night sky. Thomas cannot be without either woman, nor can he fully commit to one or the other. Sienna Miller’s debauchery steals the show and the turbulent relationship between Caitlin and Dylan provides the lightest, but also some of the darkest, moments in the movie." THE SHIZNIT

"A poet, a warrior and their two lovers form a complicated quartet in John Maybury's "The Edge of Love," a story of wartime romance in which fidelity and trust are put to the strictest test. The film succeeds as a deeply involving study of men and women caught up in a whirlwind beyond their control. Maybury draws terrific performances from his cast. Rhys (ABC's "Brothers & Sisters") reads Thomas' poetry wonderfully and plays the Welsh icon with warts and all. Murphy also brings poetry to the role of the warrior. But the film belongs to the women, with Knightley going from strength to strength (and showing she can sing!) and Miller again proving that she has everything it takes to be a major movie star." Ray Bennett HOLLYWOOD REPORTER "In keeping with Dylan's ethereal poetry, director John Maybury injects an artistic flourish to this involving drama, allowing us to understand the intricate complexities of the spiral of love and friendship in which the characters find themselves engrossed. Knightley and Miller deliver splendid performances, the former showing she has a pretty, tuneful voice. Murphy is enigmatic as the strong-willed soldier, while Rhys is suitably soppy as the weak and often detestable Dylan." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE "The Edge Of Love is a visual treat. The soundtrack leaves you wanting more. The performances possibly the best by these actors in their careers. As a lush love story it hits all the right notes. As an insight into Dylan Thomas and the reality of poetry in all our lives, it is notable. And as a tribute to a great man, it is inspiring." EYE FOR FILM (UK) "The film isn't actually about Thomas, who is played effectively by the Welsh actor Matthew Rhys. He's just the thorny prick between two roses, played respectively and with gusto by Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller. This is their movie: a story of female friendship written by the playwright, novelist and actor Sharman Macdonald (who is also Keira Knightley's mother). It's not so much the story of the women behind a great poet, as the women on top of him. To my ears, Knightley's Welsh accent is pretty good, as it should be with her Welsh relatives, but the surprise is that she can sing: at least well enough to play a siren." Paul Byrnes THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD "As a look at two women who find an unusual connection, it's rather beautiful. Based on real events from the life of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, this period drama makes for fascinating viewing even if the story is far too dark and gloomy. But strong acting and atmospheric production design make it worth a look. These are probably the most interesting women Knightley and Miller have ever played, and Maybury elicits powerful performances from both of them; wrenching, emotional and alluring. Knightley often looks like a 1940s movie goddess with her highlighted lips and cheekbones, while Miller is a more fiery, flirty dark horse." Rich Cline SHADOWS ON THE WALL

The Inside Story Producer Rebekah Gilbertson ("The Seasons Alter" & "Chasing Sheep") was at the National Film and Television School when she came up with the idea to make a feature film about her grandparents’ relationship with the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. "The Edge of Love" is about the friendship and complicated love lives of four young people in the Second World War. The great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, his lively wife Caitlin Thomas, Gilbertson's grandmother Vera Phillips and her grandfather William Killick, a war hero. "Since I was a little girl, I`d always known that my grandmother had had a friendship with Dylan Thomas. They'd grown up together in Swansea and they`d been neighbours, they went to school together and they spent summer holidays together," Gilbertson said. "In 2001 I came across a book that some of my aunts had been involved with called "Dylan Thomas: A Farm, Two Mansions and a Bungalow", by David Thomas which focussed a lot on my grandparents relationship with Thomas. There was always a mystery about the story, there was something that wasn`t really spoken of at home, so in this book I could actually read about their connection." It corresponded with a time when Gilbertson was filling in her application form for the National Film and Television School. One of the projects she had to do during the course was to adapt a book for a feature film, encouraged by one of her aunt's, Gilbertson chose David Thomas's book. "We found a human and dramatic story to tell; the story of young people during a time of war. I am always drawn to stories that reflect or comment on the human condition. This looks at all the experiences of love and often the loyalty or lack of it between human beings. So at its heart it`s about friendship and about how some friendships can`t last. It’s about first love and last love and a study of all the different experiences of love," Gilbertson explained. Writer Sharman Macdonald (Keira Knightley's mother), was soon brought on board to write the script. "I had previously encountered writer Sharman Macdonald when I asked her for script guidance on a couple of shorts I was making. I told her about the idea for the film and she said she would love to write it and I was thrilled as I am such a huge fan of her work," Gilbertson offered. Macdonald didn't approach the film as a story about Dylan Thomas. "I viewed it as a story about the rivalry between two women over one man disturbed by a loving friendship that develops between them. I was interested in the beginning, the middle and the end of that friendship, about how that friendship can end. We all have friendships that are incredibly precious to us and then suddenly they're gone. I was interested to examine that phenomenon as it's universal. The fact that it involved Dylan and Caitlin Thomas was a gift, but it was incidental." Worried about the effect the film might have on Gilbertson's family, Macdonald had to make sure they were all happy for her to go ahead. "Very early on, when I thought I might like to write the script, I said to Rebekah that I couldn't do it if there were going to be any boundaries. It was important to me that she think about any potential betrayal to her grandparents in their portrayal. So she needed to discuss what this might mean with her family, which she did and came back and gave me carte blanche. So I had complete freedom." Once the script was underway, Gilberston turned to experienced producer Sarah Radclyffe ("Les Misérables", "Loves Brother" & "Tara Road") to help her bring the project together. "While I was at film school Sarah was my mentor and it seemed a natural progression to ask her to co-produce the film. Her wealth of experience brought so much to the table. It seemed natural to be a team together," says Gilbertson. Radclyffe and Gilbertson had their sights set on John Maybury for the directors chair, but getting his attention wasn't easy. "It was a long journey to get John. In my first week at film school John came to show "Love is the Devil", his film about Francis Bacon and I fell in love with it and found it totally inspiring. I knew he was a filmmaker I would love to work with, he had a very original voice. John brings a dark and playful edge to the story and that`s the way I wanted to go with the film. It was a long journey to get him on board. At the time, Sharman's daughter Keira Knightley, was working with John on "The Jacket" and had a very good working relationship with him, but trying to get him to read it was another thing altogether. We tried all sorts of things to get his attention, Keira wrote him a poem and I bought him champagne, but he was busy thinking about another project. Some months later Keira rang him and just said will you please read this script and he called back the next day and said yes," Gilbertson recalls. Macdonald was also an admirer of Maybury's work. "I admired John's work and I loved "Love is the Devil", absolutely loved it. I knew him, as Keira worked with him on The Jacket, which I think he shot absolutely magnificently, but it still took us about four years, a bottle of pink champagne, and some very bad poetry to get him to read this script!" While Keira Knightley was instrumental in getting Maybury involved in the project, she hadn't initially envisaged starring in the film. "When I first read the script I really liked it, but I hadn't thought about being in it. I initially just gave it to a producer I was working with, who then asked me if I was interested in being in it and on the spur of the moment I just said yes. Sharman had had me in mind for Caitlin, but I was more interested in Vera, as I got very caught up in the relationship between her and William." While Knightley was happy to appear in the film, there was one aspect she found daunting. Having to sing! "Every time I thought about having to do it I felt sick and I was furious with my mother for writing the songs into the script! But I've never had to do it before and knew it was good to stretch oneself. We pre-recorded everything, but on the day John decided we were going to do it live, which was a bit of a surprise as no one normally does that. I don't think you're going to see a singing career from me anytime soon!," Knightley exclaimed. Readers shouldn't take any notice of her self-assesment. She performs her songs superbly. Director Maybury revealed he was more than impressed with Keira's ability to sing. "Her singing is great. I took a CD to the Colony Room and everyone thought they were real period songs. She has a beautiful voice and as an actor she delivers the performance." Radclyffe agrees. "She has the most amazing and beautiful voice. I think she was nervous, so she was incredibly brave to do it. I think those scenes are magical." Maybury notes that Knightley ("Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" & "Love Actually") had matured as an actress since working with her on "The Jacket". "I’d worked with Keira when she was eighteen, and she proved herself as an actor of incredible talent. She is a very serious actor, she’s matured enormously in the period since I worked with her, she’s now in her early twenties, but with the work that she’s done since then, she’s learnt her craft incredibly fast." Matthew Rhys ("Very Annie Mary" & "Love and Other Disasters") was cast in the central role of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who was born in Laugharne on 27/10/1914 in Swansea, Wales; died in St Vincent's Hospital, New York on 9/11/1954 and was buried in the village churchyard at Laugharne, Wales. For Gilbertson he captures Thomas perfectly. "I think Matthew was born to play Dylan Thomas," Gilbertson said. "It was very important to me that he be played by a Welshman. When I first met Matthew I just thought he is Dylan, and he did this screen test that was just phenomenal. He did a lot of research for the role; he met up with Aeronwy Thomas, Dylan and Catlin`s daughter, he read a lot of books and all the poetry, he listened to tapes of how Dylan spoke and looked at photographs and put so much passion into the role and it has paid off. What Matthew captures so beautifully was that Dylan was great fun, and he also isn`t afraid of Dylan`s dark side and like most poets there is always that dark side and he gets the balance beautifully between the fun and something more complex. He is Dylan!" "Matthew is a terrific actor and hugely under-rated," says Maybury. For Rhys, the opportunity to play Dylan Thomas was a dream role. "It's the sort of role you always hanker for. He's this huge iconic figure in Wales that everyone loves and everyone has an idea of who he is, but this is actually the first time he has been put on screen." To embody Thomas, Rhys embarked on a lot of research. "There is a lot of vocal archive of him and a lot of people alive who remember him and therefore you have a duty and obligation to be relatively true to the person he was." Cillian Murphy, who co-starred with Colin Farrell in John Crowley's 2003 film, "Intermission", was cast as Gilbertson's grandfather William Killick. "I was so excited about Cillian", says Gilbertson. "He was brilliant casting as he has the integrity that my grandfather had. He was a very brave and gentle man, he was very solid, I used to think of him as an oak tree." Maybury went further, stating, "Cillian Murphy is probably the best Irish actor working today." 2007 IFTA Award winner Murphy ("Breakfast On Pluto") says he was drawn to the complexity of the character of William Killick. "What was so appealing to me about the script was that dynamic between the four very different characters and how they interact. I've never played a British officer before so that appealed. The opportunity to work with John who I'd admired for a long time was irresistible and also to work with actors like Keira, Sienna and Matthew, you don't get that opportunity very often." Sienna Miller ("Layer Cake" & "Stardust") was cast as the final member of the quartet, Caitlin Thomas. "Sienna has this wonderful vitality. She just lets it all hang out and that`s what Caitlin was like, she lives her life to the full and has this incredible energy. She is Caitlin to a tee," notes Gilbertson. "For Miller the opportunity to play Caitlin was a dream role "She's a very strong, feisty, independent, forward-thinking, liberated free spirit. I thought it was one of the best scripts I've ever read. It's beautifully written with very quick dialogue and Sharman just understands how to write characters. Caitlin just jumped out of the page and I instantly adored her. I loved how while she was very strong, she was also vulnerable. All these characters are flawed which makes it far more interesting as an actress." Maybury was full of praise for Miller. "She’s an incredible actor. She’s been, in a way, burdened by the media attention she gets about her private life, and the fact that she is a party girl and a fashion icon and all of those things. But she’s proved herself again and again. She really is astonishing in this film." "The Edge Of Love" was filmed over seven weeks on locations in London and Wales. "The Welsh people were very friendly, very supportive and we employed a lot of local people as actors," maybury said. "God was genius with the lighting, we had rain when we needed it, sunsets when we wanted them." Synopsis

Vera Phillips and Dylan were each other's first loves who feel the thunderbolt once more when they unexpectedly meet in WW2 London ten years later. Caitlin is his adventurous wife, wily at using her beauty and always up for a bit of fun. Despite their love-rival status, the women form a surprising friendship; and though bombs rain down on London, the trio indulge in the glory of being young, and alive. When Vera meets and marries Officer William Killick, Dylan resents his trio becoming a foursome: and Caitlin notes it. The collapse of their group is avoided when William gets sent away to war and the others move back to rural Wales. With Vera now heavily pregnant and missing a husband who never writes back, the battle between her heart and head becomes more intense. William's return instigates a confrontation that has long been brewing; but the savagery of his attack on Dylan finally forces Vera to choose between the men in her life and the friend that she loves. Desire and guilt are complicated by love and friendship.

The Verdict "Keira Knightley singing? You'd better believe it. Sienna Miller in the best role of her life? You can believe that too. For fans of both actresses, the news only gets better. Just as Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson did in "The Other Boleyn Girl", Miller and Knightley produce outstanding performances that almost drown-out those of their male co-stars Matthew Rhys and Cillian Murphy. These performances not only reveal the depth of both womens talent but are guaranteed to leave an indelible impression on audiences. That said, the contributions of both Rhys and in particular Murphy can't be overlooked, nor diminished. Rhys gives us a Dylan Thomas who is colorful, creative, charismatic but not totally likeable. One minute you're full of admiration for the Welsh poet and the next, you're despising him for his manipulative manner. Murphy on the other hand presents his charcter William Killick as an enigmatic man. He's a puzzle, but one which is pieced together by films end. Murphy's interpretation of Killick ensures we want to know more about the man, and it's a fascinating journey of discovery. From Killick's infatuation with Vera; their subsequent marriage; the trauma of war; self-doubts as to his fatherhood; a homecoming that is marred by violent confrontation; and finally rediscovering himself, father of two Cillian Murphy utilizes every moment of his on-screen time to give us a character we want to know more about, the end reult of which is, he gives his co-stars a damn good run for their money. The cinematography and the settings in both London and Wales are perfect, as is Angelo Badalamenti's stunning soundtrack. If you like period pieces driven by characters then "The Edge Of Love" will not disappoint you. Very recommended. 4 STARS." Crew Bytes "THE EDGE OF LOVE" was .......
directed by John Maybury ["Tunnel of Love", "Genetron" and "The Jacket"]; screenplay by Sharman Macdonald ["The Winter Guest" and TV's "Wild Flowers"]; art direction by Mark Raggett ["Calendar Girls", "Miss Potter" and "Notes on a Scandal"]; costume design by April Ferry ["Free Willy", "Brokedown Palace", "Donnie Darko" and "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines"]; production design by Alan MacDonald ["Man to Man", "The Jacket", "Kinky Boots and "The Queen"]; edited by Emma E Hickox ["A Walk to Remember", "The Jacket", "Kinky Boots" and "Becoming Jane"]; cinematography by Jonathan Freeman ["The Hangman's Bride", "Resurrection" and "Hollywoodland"]; original music by Angelo Badalamenti ["Auto Focus", "Cabin Fever" and "Dark Water"]. Who's Who

Keira Knightley Sienna Miller Cillian Murphy Matthew Rhys Simon Armstrong Ben Batt Geoffrey Beevers Rachel Bell Paul Brooke Huw Ceredig Richard Clifford Richard Dillane Joel Dommett Rachel Essex Craig Gallivan Callum Godfrey Karl Johnson Simon Kassianides Anne Lambton Raymond Llewellyn Alastair Mackenzie Neville Malcolm 'Suggs' McPherson Anthony O'Donnell Kent Olesen Jonathan Phillips Kyle Redmond-Jones Jenny Runacre Camilla Rutherford Lisa Stansfield Nick Stringer

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Vera Phillips Caitlin MacNamara William Killick Dylan Thomas Wilfred Hosgood Sergeant Registrar Midwife Mr Justice Singleton John Patrick Alistair Graham Lt Col David Talbot Rice Train Soldier Mel Sailor Beating Dylan Boy on Train Dai Fred Partisan Anita Shenkin Dewi Ianthe Anthony Devas Big Joe The Crooner Jack Lloyd Soldier John Eldridge Boy Soldier Woman in Yellow Dress Nicolette Ruth Williams PC Williams

Run Time 116 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2008 - Lionsgate & Capital Film - All Rights Reserved ©2008 All Rights Reserved - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - Protected by Australian, International, Copyright & Trademark Laws.