On the Edge (2002)

63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(4,828 ratings)

Blaxploitation icon Fred Williamson directed and stars in this action thriller written by his wife, Linda. Amidst the rough-and-tumble drug-trade of the inner city, a young, well-intentioned basketball phenom gets in too deep. Before long, the gangsters come knocking and the teen's best friend winds… More Blaxploitation icon Fred Williamson directed and stars in this action thriller written by his wife, Linda. Amidst the rough-and-tumble drug-trade of the inner city, a young, well-intentioned basketball phenom gets in too deep. Before long, the gangsters come knocking and the teen's best friend winds up dead. Enter Williamson and fellow blaxploitation alums Bernie Casey, Jim Brown, and Ron O'Neal. The band of old-timers sets out to even the score and clean up the streets, but they'll have to get through a tough hitman played by Gary Busey first. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: John Carney
Written By: John Carney, Daniel James
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Aug 10, 2001 Wide
On DVD: May 21, 2002
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
A well-handled if well-worn look at the spectre of suicide and mental illness.
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card
An Irish "Good Will Hunting" of sorts, but edgier (no pun intended).
Arthur Lazere, culturevulture.net
Murphy's characterization has both edginess and charm and it carries the film.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
The healing power of petty rebellion.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Jonathan Jackson is about as Irish as a taco.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Great coming of age story. It's fun, sad and deep. Everything you want, but feel you can't ask for in a teen drama. The acting is amazing, Cillian Murphy is clearly one of the best actors of his generation and played his role perfectly. There's a whole Cuckoo's… More
Great coming of age story. It's fun, sad and deep. Everything you want, but feel you can't ask for in a teen drama. The acting is amazing, Cillian Murphy is clearly one of the best actors of his generation and played his role perfectly. There's a whole Cuckoo's Nest feel to it which I really liked, mixed in with Catcher in the Rye. It just makes you wonder what life is worth living for.
Lady D

For anyone who has watched the film 'Manic' it's a very similar storyline, based inside a Psychiatric Hospital with various characters, who come to life and communicate through their various conditions. A very likeable performance from Cillian Murphy.
Daisy M

That Cillian Murphy is one talented actor is not a doubt, be proved himself once again in the drama, On the edge, playing the role of Jonathan Breech a suicidal young guy who attempted many times to kill himself. He was put in therapy in a psychiatric hospital. There he met Rachel and… More
That Cillian Murphy is one talented actor is not a doubt, be proved himself once again in the drama, On the edge, playing the role of Jonathan Breech a suicidal young guy who attempted many times to kill himself. He was put in therapy in a psychiatric hospital. There he met Rachel and Toby,both disturbed but they created a great friendship. During the treatment, the sarcastic Jonathan changed his behavior and saw the importance of being alive.On the Edge showed an unusual theme, the behavior of persons who survived suicide attempts.But the plot was sometimes pointless and the motives of the lead character was never clear: Was he troubled due to family circumstances or was he just crazy and disturbed? The acting was great, with the exception of Stephen Rea, who had a weak performance as the psychiatrist that did not seem to help his patients.
Leo L

A fantastic movie! Great music.