The Edge of Love (2008)

For the life of me I can't figure out what went wrong with this film.  It's like a stew with all the best ingredients cooked perfectly that ends up tasting really really bland.   Solid performances, beautiful cinematography, and an interesting subject: this film should have been incredible.  But it's not.  I found it painfully slow.  It felt like it never was going to end.  There were a few good scenes but mostly the plot meanders about without direction.   It's never really clear what any of the characters want.  I still don't know who loved who.  Who was I supposed to root for?  I thought Dylan Thomas was a prick.  His wife was interesting but weak.  Vera, Dylan's first love, was a big mystery.  Cillian Murphy's character was only in the film for about fifteen minutes.  I'd only recommend this film for people who love romantic WWII films with lots of melodrama.   Everyone else should avoid this misfire of a film.  Grade: C.