Written by Lamar Trotti (screenplay), W. Somerset Maugham (novel) and Darryl Zanuck (uncredited)
Directed by Edmund Goulding
Starring Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Anne Baxter and Herbert Marshall
Running time 2 hours and 25 minutes
MPAA Rating
Available on DVD and Blu-ray from Signal One

by Rosalie Kicks, Editor in Chief and Old Sport

“The dead look so terribly dead when they’re dead.”

My perpetual state of existence, as of late, is that of being filled with the incredible desire for grabbing a bindle and running away from it all.

For the past six months or so I have spent a lot of time in contemplation mode. This noodle of mine has been cooking and the wheels have been spinning, yet it has been hard to convey what exactly I have been thinking about. One thing is certain though: I must escape. My nearest and dearest have inquired for further details into what I now have coined, “the grand fantastical magical escape”. Unfortunately, I don’t have a clear or concise response. Typically I have blueprints at the ready, task lists to be conquered, but this time is different. Instead, I find myself saying, “Welllll…. it is hard to explain.” In other words, I have no idea. But I promise to let you know as soon as I figure it out.

Which brings me to the motion picture The Razor’s Edge (1946). There are moments in life in which I feel are truly destiny (aka density… if ya know, ya know). An occasion that can only be described as fate. This is exactly my feeling about having this specific film come into life at this specific time. There is not a doubt in my mind that I heard the voices of angels as I opened the tray of my 4K player to insert the Blu-ray disc (or maybe my partner in crime Benjamin placed the disc in the player… either way, there were angelic sounds). I had requested to review the release from Signal One and am now forever thankful I did.

Based on the 1944 novel from W. Somerset Maugham, it tells the tale of Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power) and Isabel Bradley (Gene Tierney). We first meet these characters at a society party and Isabel is abuzz with nerves after learning her fiancée Larry has declined a position with a well known tycoon and his son, Gray Maturin (John Payne) at a prestigious firm. As she awaits his arrival, we are introduced to other players such as the author himself, W. Somerset Maugham portrayed by Herbert Marshall, who serves as the narrator through the duration of the film. We also make the acquaintance of their childhood friends, Sophie MacDonald (Anne Baxter) and Bob MacDonald (Frank Latimire) who appear as the picture of devotion.

Upon Larry’s arrival to the party, Isabel tries to make heads or tails of his decision to turn down the opportunity for a secure future. Larry explains, “Sitting in an office making a lot of money doesn’t interest me…”. Instead he would prefer to live like a tumbleweed and see where the wind takes him. He wants to travel, take chances and welllll… figure things out.

“What will you do in Europe?”

Isabel is absolutely perplexed by Larry’s decision to not only travel to Paris but to take a journey without a semblance of a plan. In response to her question about what he will do while there, Larry matter of factly responds, “Loaf!”. This was essentially the moment in the film where I felt seen. Sometimes, you don’t know where you’re going but you have to trust yourself that you will find where you are supposed to be.

Throughout the film, Larry continues to befuddle those around him. He especially makes himself the concern of Isabel’s uncle Elliot Templeton (Clifton Webb). Unfortunately, Elliot’s intentions are out of regard for the well being of his niece in terms of her monetary needs. He sees Larry as a fool that is squandering his life away and does not want to see Isabel become entangled with a failure. He sees her social status as of utmost importance and aspires for her to marry someone like Gray (who, by the way is completely infatuated with Isabel, despite her not giving him the time of day). Sadly, Isabel lives by these same materialistic ideals and is unable to see that there is more to life beyond wealth. When she makes a trip to Paris in attempt to sway Larry to come back with her to the States and pursue what she deems a logical path, Larry refuses. Isabel is confused. Why would he want to live in what she sees as squalor? She comes to terms (or at least she believes she does) with the fact that they are simply not going to see eye to eye. At that moment, they decide to go their separate ways but remain friends. For Isabel, this leads to the marriage to a man (Gray) for his money and stature while Larry continues his pursuit of the unknown. A marriage, I must add, that Isabel will later say she did as a “sacrifice” in the name of Larry’s aspirations. Those that thought Gene Tierney was ruthless in Leave Her to Heaven as Ellen, may be surprised to find that as Isabel she is able to capture an even more heartless, vile creature.

As mentioned earlier, this film struck a chord with me as I find myself at a bit of a crossroads. I know that I am searching for something and, despite not knowing what that exactly is, I know deep down that I have to make the escape. As I approach forty, I feel I owe it to myself to try. Time has never felt more imminent and welllll, this may be the last chance at doing something incredibly wild. I have always followed the rules and have done as expected of me. I got the corporate job and even managed to climb the ladder a bit, knowing full well, deep down, this is not what I was made for. Much like Larry, sitting in an office making a lot of money never interested me. This story may be from the 1940s, but I could not help finding it more relevant to the now than ever.

The film’s story makes a jump in time and the choices that each of the characters made start to catch up with them. For Sophia, she is dealt an unfortunate tragedy that, unlike the others, finds a path dictated for her not by her own choice. I would be remiss to not add here that Anne Baxter, who was awarded an Oscar for her role as Sophia, gives an astounding performance that will absolutely rip your heart out and stomp on it. Prior to this, I thought her most memorable role was in All About Eve, but after witnessing her in The Razor’s Edge, I now have a new favorite Anne role. Whereas Gene Tierney, who is equally a master in terms of her craft, will cause one to have daggers in their eyes.

There is so much in this film that will stay with me for quite some time and my only hope is that I have done it enough justice to convince others to seek it out. This is one of those movies that I am sure I will revisit, which makes me incredibly thrilled to have it added to my library. Despite the minimal special features, this is a picture that will not leave someone with a feeling that they were hoodwinked (cough cough, I am looking at you Warner Archive and your DIY menus) into purchasing it. This piece of cinema truly speaks for itself and what it has to say is incredible.