Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19697 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-04
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

Video Description
DVD Special Features
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast & Crew Biographies

Language: English
Subtitles: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish.
82 mins approx

Synopsis
When 19-year-old rebel Jonathan Breech (Cillian Murphy)--suffering from depression after the death of his father--attempts suicide by driving a stolen car off a cliff, he is given the choice of going to prison or being committed to a psychiatric institution. Jonathan chooses the hospital, where he begrudgingly attends group therapy, clashes with a well-meaning doctor (Stephen Rea), and eventually finds hope with a new friend (Jonathan Jackson) and a love interest (Tricia Vessey). ON THE EDGE is an intense coming-of-age drama from Irish director John Carney and boasts a standout performance by up-and-comer Murphy.

From the Back Cover
Sometimes looking inside is the only way out.

After a near-fatal car accident in a stolen car, 19 year old Jonathan Breech (Cillian Murphy) is given two choices – prison or a psychiatric hospital. He begrudgingly accepts the latter, though he makes it clear to the psychiatrist (Sptehen Rea - The End of The Affair, that he doesn’t believe in therapy. Jonathan then begins the long journey of understanding himself through other patients. His friend Toby, a sensitive, tormented young man who blames himself for his brother’s accidental death, offers support. And, by falling for Rachel (Tricia Vessey - Kiss The Girls), who is constantly testing him, unable to believe that anyone can love her, he truly learns to love others.

Customer Reviews

A film to make you think
Considering this movie covers extremely hard hitting subjects such as suicide and self harm, it was surprising to discover that the film actually came across as a very tender story.

After a failed suicide attempt Jonathan (Cillian Murphy)is admitted into a treatment center where he and his fellow inmates promise their doctor not to harm themselves until after new years day. Although he fights the doctor's attempts to make him talk, and the other patients seem to be a crazy lot, he manages to build relationships with them, whilst coming to terms with his own confused feelings.

This is a captivating movie, with some superb acting from Cillian Murphy and Tricia Vessey who plays Rachel.

Strong but Beautiful stuff
I may be wrong but I would suspect that if you have never suffered major depression with 'suicidal ideation' as it's politely called, or you have never had to care for such a person then this film might leave you baffled and unsure. But please don't let me put you off.

If, however, you do suffer, or have suffered, or care or have cared for sufferers then you will praise the harsh and improbable God that someone who understands has made a film for people like you. If you do suffer I recommend you don't watch this alone. It bought up some painful things for me, and I was very glad that my dear wife was there to reflect off when it finished. It raised enough strong emotion to shift me out of a medication numbness, allowing me to feel rather better the following day. So it qualifies as therapy in my book.

The ending is bitter-sweet and not remotely happy ever after, but those who do survive walk into a new stage of their lives, with a bit more of a reason to carry on (that being love).

Cillian Murphy is a brilliant actor who always makes the most of interesting roles. The supporting cast are memorable too.

A must see
This is a bit of a take on 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'; however, it is a very watchable film with some excellent acting, from Stephen Rea and Cillian Murphy, not forgetting the other members of the cast. The recovery time of the patients is somewhat abbreviated compared to reality I should imagine, but it doesn't spoil the film in any way. If you like Irish actors as I do, then you won't be disappointed. Buy it, rent it, but do watch it.