Monday, April 21, 2025

Movie review - "Edge of the City" (1957) *** (warning: spoilers)

 Made with skill. Beautifully shot. Excellent acting. I acknowledge the historical importance of it in depictions of blacks.

But at heart this is still a TV play.   Like many TV play adaptations there's not enough story. John Cassavetes gets a job on the docks, works with Sidney Poitier, nasty Jack Warden wants Cassavetes to work with him. And... Oh there's a romance with a dull woman nicely played. All the acting is fine.

When Poitier is killed it's depressing. He has a wife and kids and he died because of Cassavetes and because he's black. Cassavetes is a deserter and... yeah. So. Whatever. 

It is well made. I couldn't get into it. Cassavetes and Poitier are full of star factor, Ruby Dee is fantastic.

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