The Razor's Edge
The Razor's Edge

Movie spotlight

The Razor's Edge

1946
Movie
145 min
English

An adventurous young man goes off to find himself and loses his socialite fiancée in the process. But when he returns 10 years later, she will stop at nothing to get him back, even though she is already married.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Google Users84%
Director: Edmund GouldingGenres: Drama, Mystery, Romance

Plot Summary

Larry Darrell, a traumatized American pilot from World War I, struggles to find meaning in life after returning home. Disillusioned with materialistic pursuits, he embarks on a spiritual journey across Europe and India, seeking enlightenment. His quest often clashes with the desires of those close to him, particularly his fiancée Isabel and her socialite mother, who wish for him to conform to societal expectations.

Critical Reception

The 1946 film adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's novel was generally well-received by critics for its ambitious scope and Tyrone Power's performance. It was considered a significant production for its time, exploring complex philosophical and spiritual themes within a Hollywood drama framework.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its faithful adaptation of Maugham's novel and its ambitious philosophical undertones.

  • Tyrone Power's performance as the searching Larry Darrell was frequently highlighted as a strong point.

  • Some critics found the pacing a bit deliberate, but acknowledged the film's intellectual depth.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's exploration of spiritual and philosophical themes, finding it thought-provoking and a departure from typical Hollywood fare. The performances were often cited as strong, contributing to an engaging viewing experience.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Claude Rains), Best Supporting Actress (Anne Baxter), and Best Film Editing.

Fun Fact

Tyrone Power was passionate about playing Larry Darrell, seeing it as a departure from his usual romantic hero roles and a chance to tackle a more complex character.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

W. Somerset Maugham's intense character studies are all but impossible to adequately reflect on screen - even in a film that takes 2½ hours. That said, Edmund Goulding assembled a strong cast here to deliver a complex and nuanced series of ...

HarrisonHanksHackman

HarrisonHanksHac...

I will admit after seeing Gene Tierney in Laura a few years ago I am always looking for movies on TMC with her in them. While this movie doesn't live up to several others I have seen with Ms Tierney, such as: Laura, Leave Her to Heaven, or ...