The last time Mel Gibson graced the big screen it was in the movie”Signs” chasing aliens on the farm. The last time we saw him publicly he was being chased for drunk driving and screaming anti-Semitic insanities. But when it comes to America’s collection of once-a-sex-symbol men like Harrison Ford and Al Pacino, is Gibson yet another has-been who screams his lines to get his point across. The answer is no. In this, which feels a lot like the plot of last year’s “Taken” starring Liam Neeson, Gibson is trying to track the killers to protect his daughter (except his child is already dead.) Gibson possesses a sort of boyish cocky assurance (no matter what his age) and that sexiness is tightly coupled with a vulnerability found in those weary and haunted, blue eyes. The softness factor (when needed) doesn’t hurt either. Gibson is still a guy’s guy, and a girl’s guy and at the same time, he could be anybody’s dad. Northmoor is the place where Gibson’s daughter (Bojana Novakovic) worked before the murder that Gibson, a police man, thought was intended for him. Northmoor is a sort of nuclear facility run by Danny (we love this guy) Huston with his grey/white widow’s peak of hair and his bad attitude. He should have been a much bigger movie star then he is. The problem is when you add up the plot, unlike, say “Lethal Weapon” there isn’t anything they’re fighting for of interest to us (well, except for Gibson and his dead daughter.) “Edge of Darkness” takes place in Boston and was written by the guy who brought us “The Departed” – William Monahan – so you know it’s a solid script, but unless you’re Marky Mark from “Southie,” please give up attempting to “Pahk your cahr in the Harvahd yahd.” Bad Boston accents make any real Bostonian cringe. Directed by Martin Campbell – who apparently directed the British miniseries of the same name – it’s a fine film but not a great one. It just feels very been-there-done-that plot. Angry Mel with a gun avenging his child’s death (remember he starred in “The Patriot” and “Ransom” both with same child/justice scenarios.) Two and a half Tiaras
