4/5 We've all been "on the edge" at times...
  by K.T. May (New York)
Every once in a while, a film comes along with a common subject that is fashioned differently and feels like a breath of fresh air. 2001 Irish film "On the Edge" is one of these movies.

The adorable Cillian Murphy, (Batman Begins), stars as Jonathan, a young man with a carefree, non-committal attitude towards life. He has just lost his father and, after a night of debauchery, tries to commit suicide by driving his car off of a cliff with his father's ashes in the back seat. Keeping with the light humor displayed throughout the story, though, Jonathan lives and his only wound is a broken pinky finger. Because he tried to kill himself, he is offered the choice of a prison sentence or admission to a mental hospital. He chooses the mental hospital.

At the hospital, which Jonathan clearly states he is treating as a vacation and nothing more, he is coached along by a psychologist, Dr. Figure, played by Stephen Rea, who ends up helping him deeply despite his first impression of the doctor. Jonathan attends a group therapy session and ends up making friends with Toby, (Jonathan Jackson), another young man with a dark secret and Rachel, (Tricia Vassey), whom Jonathan immediately fancies but who creeps him out a bit with her turn-on of blood.

Over the course of the film, you can see how the bonds between these three people are deepened, with Dr. Figure fleshing out the picture and helping Jonathan despite his protests. Toby harbors a crush on Rachel, which becomes more apparent when he writes a poem for her. Jonathan defends Toby when he almost ends up in a violent fight at a bowling alley and Jonathan almost ends up paying for it. This will be the first time that Dr. Figure steps in an tries to teach Jonathan that he needs to start valuing his own life, too. Jonathan will learn that lesson by the end of the film, though, when his love for Rachel grows and, after a tragic circumstance, her parents take her out of the hospital. Jonathan is miserable and worried and in the end, Dr. Figure helps him to achieve the one thing he desparately needs to do.

The acting in this film is rich, especially from Jonathan Jackson who is an American actor but flew to Ireland to make this film and took on the accent in an uncanny fashion. Cillian Murphy is excellent as always, as is Stephen Rea, and the story is interesting enough to keep your attention. It is sort of like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" meets a young adult drama, but without a lot of the melodramatic acting that usually comes along with it. Plus, the soundtrack is a nice boost, starting out right up front with "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins and includes "Alright" by Supergrass, "Please Forgive Me" by David Gray, and "Is She Weird?" by the Pixies, among other great songs.

If you were impressed with Cillian Murphy's performance as the Scarecrow in Batman Begins, you should definitely check out this film. And even if you have no idea who he is, this is a charming film that takes place in psycho-therapy but doesn't make the whole film about that concept. It is more of a focus on human behavior and relationships and what leads us to do what we do.

5/5 Love this movie!
  by B. Russell (Maryville, TN USA)
For anyone who has ever had a depressed friend, this movie can perhaps help you have better insight. I didn't particularly like Cillian Murphy until I saw him in this movie. I think this movie is for everyone who understands that emotions drive our lives, whether we want them to or not.

4/5 worth watching once
  by B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania)
A very good film. While I never got the impression that the main character (a young teenage boy) was about to commit suicide, or shown any signs of commiting suicide (besides that car ride scene) his character was nonetheless quite impressive and very moving throughout the movie. While at the psychiatric hospital, he met a girl he fell in love with instantly, and he quickly found out why she was in the hospital too (which is what makes the movie so good).

He also met other people who he seemed to get along with quite well, though throughout the film he had a psychiatrist trying to help him, though honestly, I never got the impression the boy even needed help. He seemed more like a regular kid with a few problems that could have easily been solved just by having someone get close to him and talk, and sending him to a mental hospital was a bit extreme. That's the impression I got throughout the film because for the most part, his character was quite normal.

His acting was really good though. You cared about which direction his life was taking whenever he encountered that girl, and you wanted to see what happened when he was about to get into major fights with people at bars or bowling alleys. A movie well worth watching.

2/5 on the edge
  by Laura E. Gonder (USA, Ohio)
On the edge was a good plot for a movie. But was poorly acted, and over all poorly done, if you are looking for a good drama, as I said the plot was great, but the acting bore me.


5/5 Obsession
  by Cookie (malibu, ca)
Cullian Murphy is my new obsession. He is a wonderful actor and I love his diversity. What ever role I see him in he makes me forget i'm watching a movie. He's a breath of fresh air to Hollywood and I hope he continues to accept good roles instead of the big budget anyone can play that type role. I never really paid much attention to Jonathan until this movie and Trish either. Both were excellent. I buy very few movies because usually once I watch a movie I never need to see it again. This is one I bought. The acting is top notch and the story really good not your typical hollywood crap. It's well worth the money.