On the Edge Review
The well-worn story of the misfit teen who winds up institutionalized gets a new coat of paint from co-writer/director John_Carney. Cillian_Murphy, better known for his roles in 28_Days_Later and Girl With a Pearl Earring, is Jonathan Breech, the young man whose face, with its wide blue eyes and pouty lips, fairly screams "sensitive." His grieving over the death of his father drives him (literally) to a suicidal act and confinement. The understanding counselor (Stephen_Rea), the pal (Jonathan_Jackson), and the girl (Tricia_Vessey) are all in their places, ready to do their parts to help our hero find his way back. Carney wrote the film's original score, and there are plenty of source tunes to underscore the emotions, but the script never digs much below the surface on any of the characters. Jonathan's troubles clearly began long before his father's death, but they're only hinted at. Likewise, Rachel (Vessey) gets her one speech about her mother's mysterious death, but she has little else to do than look waifish. The film might appeal to less sophisticated younger teens, but there's that pesky R rating, likely earned for a bit too much profanity. If Murphy's star does go into ascendancy, this will be of more than routine interest. Tom Wiener, Rovi
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