The Edge
Plot
The Edge adalah film thriller Amerika tahun 1997 yang disutradarai oleh Lee Tamahori dan dibintangi oleh Alec Baldwin, Tommy Lee Jones, dan Donald Sutherland. Saat cerita terungkap, kita berada di tengah-tengah hutan belantara Alaska yang berbahaya, tempat sebuah pesawat kecil yang membawa fotografer kaya dan egois, Charles Morse (Alec Baldwin), jatuh ke tanah. Bersamanya adalah dua penumpang lainnya, Robert "RJ" O'Connor (Harrison Ford), seorang fotografer terkenal dengan sikap tanpa basa-basi, dan Stephen (Evehen Lieberman), asisten RJ yang setia tetapi canggung. Awalnya, ketiganya terdampar di hutan belantara yang beku, dipaksa untuk mengandalkan satu sama lain untuk bertahan hidup. Charles, bertekad untuk memanfaatkan peristiwa bencana dengan menangkap bidikan yang sempurna, mengambil alih situasi, meskipun kurangnya pengalaman praktis. RJ, di sisi lain, skeptis terhadap motif Charles dan meremehkan keahliannya. Saat ketegangan meningkat dan lingkungan yang keras mulai berdampak, kelompok tersebut harus bekerja sama untuk membangun tempat penampungan sementara, menyalakan api, dan menangkis bahaya yang mengintai dalam bayang-bayang. Sementara itu, Charles menjadi semakin terobsesi untuk menangkap gambar yang sempurna, yang membuat jarak antara dirinya dan RJ, yang melihat situasi tersebut sebagai kesempatan untuk belajar dari mentornya. Di sepanjang film, tema-tema tentang bertahan hidup, kepercayaan, dan penebusan dosa terjalin dengan ahli, menciptakan narasi yang menegangkan dan mencengkeram yang membuat penonton tetap berada di ujung kursi mereka. Saat kelompok itu menavigasi hutan belantara yang tak kenal ampun, mereka harus menghadapi kematian mereka sendiri dan makna pengorbanan yang sebenarnya. The Edge adalah perjalanan mendebarkan yang mengeksplorasi kompleksitas sifat manusia dalam menghadapi kesulitan. Dengan lanskap Alaska yang menakjubkan, sinematografi yang mengesankan, dan penampilan luar biasa dari para pemeran utamanya, film ini adalah pengalaman yang tak boleh dilewatkan bagi para penggemar genre thriller.
Ulasan
Emma
The rationale for prioritizing virtue over ability lies in the primacy of intention. Action stems from the heart. Without a steadfast commitment to morality, one risks succumbing to corruption and being consumed by avarice. Such a person, like the panther, becomes dangerous yet lacks wisdom. Conversely, those possessing wisdom, like the seemingly vulnerable rabbit, are, in reality, beyond the panther's grasp.
Elliot
The film defines the ideal man as someone who is calm, intelligent, knowledgeable, courageous, tolerant, and grateful. Of course, the protagonist's most prominent trait is his wealth, but the film suggests that wealth is not the *cause* of these qualities; rather, it's a *result* of them.
Mira
Staring into each other's eyes is a key theme in this film. You can escape a bear by making eye contact and slowly backing away. You can also survive against an enemy by staring them down and advancing, forcing them to retreat into a trap. This is a story about trust, love, betrayal, wisdom, and the good and evil in human nature. Clearly, wilderness survival is not the main focus, but rather the exposure of humanity and animal instincts in a harsh environment. The story may want to express more, but the plot is thin. Besides the confrontation between man and bear, and between people themselves, some contrived thrills are hastily concluded. The film could have delved deeper into human nature, exploring more details of the adulterous couple or the psychological clashes between the wealthy man and the hired hand.
Paola
Having watched the VCD version back in the day, I revisited it with the Region 1 DVD. I won't dwell on the plot; the film's pacing is tight, yet it doesn't lack thought-provoking details. Psychological warfare is at the heart of this movie. Anthony Hopkins portrays the perfect man impeccably, culminating in the powerful line, "they saved my life" – a true testament to his character! PS: Why isn't the rabbit afraid? Because it's smarter than the panther.
Luca
Hopkins, the grand old man, is a true acting powerhouse. It goes without saying that he can create utterly convincing portrayals of twisted characters, but he's equally believable as an elegant and intelligent millionaire. In this film, the male lead's character is already perfected to the point of being almost flawless, and thanks to Hopkins' natural performance, it never feels contrived. The old man is filled with readily applicable wilderness survival knowledge, remaining calm and collected even in harsh environments, and maintaining an incredibly strong will after repeated setbacks. In contrast, the male supporting lead, in the prime of his life, is simply unbearable to watch. In reality, the ending was determined from the beginning. Apart from his youthful and handsome appearance, what could this mediocre, cliché-ridden character possibly use to compare himself to a man among men...?
Kennedy
"Harrowing survival instincts unfold in 'The Edge'. Stranded in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness, Charles Morse must tap into his primal resourcefulness to outsmart a massive Kodiak bear and lead his fellow survivors, Robert and Stephen, to safety. A gripping tale of man versus nature emerges, fueled by the cast's gripping performances and the unforgiving landscape that threatens their every move."
Quinn
"Stranded in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness, three men must put aside their differences and work together to survive. Anthony Hopkins delivers a masterful performance as Charles Morse, a wealthy and cunning individual who uses his intelligence to outwit the deadly bear that's stalking them. Alec Baldwin and Harold Perrineau Jr. provide solid support in this tense and suspenseful thriller, as the trio navigates the harsh terrain and battles to stay alive in the face of unimaginable danger."
