Razor's Edge (B or 3/4 stars)
After a few years' service with the Marines in WWII, Tyrone Power made a return to the silver screen in 1946's 'The Razor's Edge', an epic drama directed by Edmund Goulding. Initially set in Chicago 1919, Tyrone Power is cast - interestingly enough - as disillusioned WWI vet Larry Darrell, who returns from the war questioning his pre-war values. While in Chicago, the wishy-washy Larry breaks off his engagement to uppity society girl Isabel Bradley (beauuutiful Gene Tierney) & travels the world seeking enlightenment, eventually finding a guru in India {my least favorite segment, felt so forced/contrived}, and proceeding to Paris, France to join the rest of the "Lost Generation". In the meanwhile, Isabel marries Gray (strapping John Payne), & following the stock market crash of 1929, is invited to live in Paris with her wealthy, social climbing Uncle Elliot (Clifton Webb, in a role tailor-made for him).
During a stay there, Larry, having attained his goal of 'finding himself', encounters Isabel. While "slumming" (a term Isabel loathes, but one that Larry treasures) one night Larry, Isabel & co. are shocked to discover Sophie MacDonald (Anne Baxter, in a fantastic Academy Award-winning performance), an old friend from Chicago. Having lost her beloved husband & baby girl in a tragic car accident, Sophie is living the low-life with the aid of alcohol, drugs, and an abusive male 'friend'. With his newfound outlook on life, Larry tries to impart his ways to Sophie and rehabilitate her (including a marriage proposal), but his efforts are sabotaged by Isabel who - despite seeming happily married to Gray - tries, in vain, to woo Larry back for herself. Tragedy & melodrama ensues.
'The Razor's Edge' is a movie in which - for me - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I love the "overall"; incorporating good actors, lovely cinematography, elegant sets, a story ripe with juicy melodrama, romance, tragedy, etc. ... but too many small individual moments made me cringe or shake my head in slight frustration. Tyrone Power is a handsome & sturdy performer, but I wasn't blown away, here; perhaps it's the wishy-washy role, and not him. Furthermore, I found Gene Tierney to be impressive in some scenes, yet out of her depth in others. Those are my major issues: Tyrone Power comes across too earnest & verbose; Gene Tierney, while gorgeous, doesn't nail the selfish femme role as well as I would've liked. I also feel that a few segments come across as too corny or self-important. i.e., that India segment ... eek.
However, the "overall" proceedings are fine and, my rating shoots up to a solid B from a B-/C+ almost completely for Anne Baxter's superb portrayal as pathetic Sophie MacDonald. Sophie is a fallen woman; spiraling from a lovely society girl into a debaucherous wretch. And Baxter just nails it. Her drunk scene in Paris where she stumbles around each former acquaintance is ... hypnotic. Also stellar is Clifton Webb. I was amused by his effete characterization as the snobby dilettante uncle. I also appreciated Herbert Marshall's straight portrayal of Somerset Maugham (who actually wrote the novel this film is based on). So yeah, do I love the epic feel of the film (spans decades across Chicago, India, & Paris)? Yes. Do I love the particulars (lots of carousing, some catty dialogue, the lovely sets, Ann Baxter, Clifton Webb)? Yes. But some acting choices & some saccharine/too-melodramatic moments fail to give 'The Razor's Edge' much of, well, an edge.
During a stay there, Larry, having attained his goal of 'finding himself', encounters Isabel. While "slumming" (a term Isabel loathes, but one that Larry treasures) one night Larry, Isabel & co. are shocked to discover Sophie MacDonald (Anne Baxter, in a fantastic Academy Award-winning performance), an old friend from Chicago. Having lost her beloved husband & baby girl in a tragic car accident, Sophie is living the low-life with the aid of alcohol, drugs, and an abusive male 'friend'. With his newfound outlook on life, Larry tries to impart his ways to Sophie and rehabilitate her (including a marriage proposal), but his efforts are sabotaged by Isabel who - despite seeming happily married to Gray - tries, in vain, to woo Larry back for herself. Tragedy & melodrama ensues.
'The Razor's Edge' is a movie in which - for me - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I love the "overall"; incorporating good actors, lovely cinematography, elegant sets, a story ripe with juicy melodrama, romance, tragedy, etc. ... but too many small individual moments made me cringe or shake my head in slight frustration. Tyrone Power is a handsome & sturdy performer, but I wasn't blown away, here; perhaps it's the wishy-washy role, and not him. Furthermore, I found Gene Tierney to be impressive in some scenes, yet out of her depth in others. Those are my major issues: Tyrone Power comes across too earnest & verbose; Gene Tierney, while gorgeous, doesn't nail the selfish femme role as well as I would've liked. I also feel that a few segments come across as too corny or self-important. i.e., that India segment ... eek.
However, the "overall" proceedings are fine and, my rating shoots up to a solid B from a B-/C+ almost completely for Anne Baxter's superb portrayal as pathetic Sophie MacDonald. Sophie is a fallen woman; spiraling from a lovely society girl into a debaucherous wretch. And Baxter just nails it. Her drunk scene in Paris where she stumbles around each former acquaintance is ... hypnotic. Also stellar is Clifton Webb. I was amused by his effete characterization as the snobby dilettante uncle. I also appreciated Herbert Marshall's straight portrayal of Somerset Maugham (who actually wrote the novel this film is based on). So yeah, do I love the epic feel of the film (spans decades across Chicago, India, & Paris)? Yes. Do I love the particulars (lots of carousing, some catty dialogue, the lovely sets, Ann Baxter, Clifton Webb)? Yes. But some acting choices & some saccharine/too-melodramatic moments fail to give 'The Razor's Edge' much of, well, an edge.