The Edge (1997)

★★★★
The Edge is a beast of a film. Much like its monstrous antagonist, it is intimidating, scary and untamed. It's a survival movie with a raging pulse. I watched this in a theater back in 1997. I remember distinctly how a loudmouth customer behind me kept second-guessing the hero. Don't do this, do that, he said. When the hero came up with ingenious ways to get out of a difficult situation, I concluded that the guy behind me would have quickly perished in the wild. It isn't just about being stranded in the wilderness. The dynamics among the stranded men reveal some truths about status and wealth that could prove uncomfortable for people who make assumptions regarding the rich. This is not surprising, considering that writer David Mamet's reputation for complex characters and dialogue precedes him. When you see his name in the opening credits, don't think for a moment that he's settling for popcorn entertainment. In crafting this riveting story, he traversed the road paved by the likes of Runaway Train (1985) to force two dissimilar characters together in a crisis and have their experiences up to that point cause as much tension as the environment around them.

Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) is a billionaire with a younger wife, Mickey Morse (Elle Macpherson), and a photographic memory. He and his entourage arrive in Alaska for a photo shoot against the magnificent backdrop of snowcapped mountains and a crystal-clear lake. Bob Green (Alec Baldwin) is the main photographer assigned to the job. Charles demonstrates his memory skills early when challenged by host Styles (L.Q. Jones) to explain the significance of the artwork found on a paddle. Styles's cabin is a marvel to behold. It is decorated with trinkets and mementos from his travels. One of them is a photograph of a local Native American, which Bob amusingly concludes was taken over 100 years ago. The photo inspires Bob's creative instincts, so he arranges a trip for him and his assistant Steve (Harold Perrineau) to fly to the Indian's cabin and meet the enigmatic subject of the photograph. Charles goes along too at Mickey's encouragement in order to get him out of the cabin, where he feels like an observer to all the activity surrounding her photo shoot. The three men and a pilot fly north to see the man in the picture when a bird strike disables their ride, and they crash in the middle of nowhere.

The landscape is harsh. Freezing temperatures and rugged terrain challenge not only their bodies but also their temperament. As if that isn't enough, a massive Kodiak bear appears and taunts the men with its fierce growl and large claws. As played by animal actor Bart the Bear, the Kodiak is the star of the show. He appears in a large number of scenes and performs tasks with frightening precision. He chases the survivors with an intense ferocity over the uneven terrain. Director Lee Tamahori increases the bear's threat level by placing him in multiple scenes with the actors so that we can process his immense size and proximity to his prey. The Kodiak isn't the only threat. During rare respites from the bear, the men grow hungry and desperate. Tempers flare. Charles doesn't just possess a wealth of money, but also a wealth of information, which he uses to prolong their existence for a chance at rescue. Bob is less optimistic, and he becomes agitated at their situation to the point that he takes shots at Charles over his money. He does this several times, constantly reminding Charles of his standing in society. They face many obstacles, yet Charles maintains his composure, even when Bob attacks him.

Charles didn't get to where he is by losing focus. Patience and adaptability are his strengths. We don’t know what his job is, but whatever he does he got to where he is by utilizing his strengths. These are strengths that could not only get them out of this area, but also set himself apart from Bob. Charles never equates the region with the boardroom, but his approach is the same. He must analyze, formulate and execute. This dilemma is a problem for him to solve. Bob's reaction to his predicament is more grounded. He panics. He is unsure of what to do and asks Charles about the plan. Charles had many resources back home, yet even with both men cut off from civilization and facing the same problem, Bob expects Charles to reach into his bag of tricks and solve their problem. All Charles has, though, is his ability to recall information and apply it calmly. Bob depends on him, but also sees Charles's rationality as an extension of his position as a powerful man to be resented by the middle and lower classes. Bob needs him, but also despises him precisely for the reasons he needs him.

Their journey through the Alaskan frontier has all the hostilities that one would expect. Hopkins, in his late 50s when he filmed the movie, negotiates the elements really well alongside his younger co-stars. His role is a physical one, requiring him to run, dive, tumble and fight. He has no problem keeping pace with Baldwin and Perrineau, and he holds his own against the vicious Kodiak bear. If this were just a survival movie focused solely on thrills, then it would deliver on that level without fail. What makes The Edge better is the conflict between its mismatched stars. Bob dislikes Charles, because Bob has money and a hot wife—a wife that Bob feels Charles doesn't deserve and only has because he is rich. What Bob really feels is jealousy. He lacks the initiative to achieve the same level of stature as Bob, so he simmers in his own anger. Not everyone has the wherewithal to step into the arena and fight for what he wants. He's a successful photographer, good enough to fall into Charles's orbit and get a job photographing his wife, but there are only so many top spots occupied by the Annie Leibovitzes of his profession. During their journey, the two men bond and seem to reconcile, but that reconciliation is built on a fragile foundation. When he sees the opportunity to succumb to his jealousy, he'll do it.

Bob's dislike of Charles is irrational. Yes, Charles has money, but so what? He worked for it, and judging by what we observe here, he's a reasonable and resourceful man. This isn't to say that all billionaires are enterprising enough to survive in the wild. Replace Charles Morse with Mark Zuckerberg, Mark Cuban or Elon Musk, and the result could be different. David Mamet might be suggesting that even with a level playing field, we might gravitate to those of higher stature because of their ability to navigate stressful situations. That explains why it is entirely plausible for a spinal surgeon to become the de facto leader of plane crash survivors on a mysterious island. Bob wouldn't have a job, or at least this particular job, without Charles, yet he's willing to bite the hand that feeds him to prove a point about where they stand in the public's eye. As the movie concludes, Charles makes a statement that forces us to rethink everything that came before. Could Charles have survived on his own? No. Every decision and every development were based on the circumstances of the moment, brought about by the stranded men and not one man alone. The Edge has themes worth pondering, but if you prefer, you can shunt those aside and just go along with the thrills and heart-pounding action. This is a survival movie with teeth.

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