Edge of darkness

Although Edge of Darkness isn't on a par with Chinatown and other classic mystery thrillers, it's a gripping conspiracy tale focused on nuclear research, corporate intrigue and political activism. No big surprise there, but there may be one or two too many twists for some moviegoers to accept. Even so, the ending's as neatly tied up as a mummy's tomb.

There are interesting twists too in the movie's own story. First of all, it was a five-part BBC TV serial in 1985. Its screenplay and direction picked up BAFTA and other TV awards, and it remains one of the critics' all-time favourite TV dramas. Written by one of Britain's smartest TV dramatists, the late Troy Kennedy Martin, it was directed by a youngish New Zealander, Martin Campbell. His subsequent movie career included the first James Bond outings for both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, as well as the pair of Zorros.

Compressing its convoluted plot into less than 100 minutes for the remake must have seemed a mission impossible when Campbell was offered the chance to remake his movie. Much easier was casting the vengeful policeman whose daughter is assassinated in front of him. Mel Gibson has long personified anger and vengeance, from Mad Max to Braveheart and almost every other movie he's made. He could have been a contender to be Clint Eastwood's successor. In Edge of Darkness, he looks his age, acts it and is very credible.

His character needs to be, because elaborate plot lines, red herrings and twists are complicating his life menacingly. Danny Huston is once again the mesmerisingly hateful manifestation of menace. Another customary face of murderous intentions is Ray Winstone.

By a twist of the scenario to suit its Americanisation (from Yorkshire to Boston), Winstone plays his typically pugnacious role as a Cockney fixer. In the original drama, the outsider was an American agent (Joe Don Baker). Winstone and Gibson could become a strong double act, but not in any sequel for this movie, not unless they are transformed into avenging ghosts.