Dinner and a movie
March 12, 2009
"The Edge of Love": Forgettable film beautifully shot, poorly written
By Joe Darda
Photo by none.
The Edge of Love
2.0/5.0
Loosely based on real events and people, "The Edge of Love" may attract many movie-goers by its supposed subject — the private life of Dylan Thomas. Those interested in a biopic of the Welsh poet will, however, be disappointed, as the film is less about Thomas than the turbulent friendship of his wife, Caitlin, and his childhood sweetheart, Vera Phillips.
Set in wartime Britain, "The Edge of Love" follows Dylan (Matthew Rhys) as he reunites with Vera (Keira Knightley) in London during the Blitz of 1940-41, before the arrival of the gregarious Caitlin Thomas (Sienna Miller). Surprisingly, given the circumstances, Vera and Caitlin hit it off, forming a friendship that consumes much of the film’s storyline.
With the reunion of Dylan and Caitlin, Vera quickly settles down with the austere Capt. William Killick (Cillian Murphy), a foil to the easygoing Dylan. After the captain enters another round of duty, Dylan, Caitlin and Vera head to Swansea, located in the Welsh countryside, where their relationships become even more tangled and dramatic.
Although Vera Phillips is not an entirely fictional character — at least the name is accurate — there is no strong evidence that the steamy love triangle portrayed in "The Edge of Love" ever took place. This did not, however, stop the filmmakers from weaving in famous Thomas poems as if they were written for and about the imagined situation.
The half-dozen poems, read by Rhys as voice-overs and dispersed throughout the film, unfortunately represent the only good writing in the film’s 110 minutes. "The Edge of Love" is littered with difficult-to-stomach cliches: “First love’s all right as it goes,” William tells Vera before leaving for Greece. “Last love, that’s what I’m interested in.”
If there is one thing besides Thomas that keeps "The Edge of Love" afloat — Rhys does provide an engaging depiction of the poet — it is the captivating cinematography. The shots of London pubs and rural Wales are beautifully captured, and the film makes smoking look so cool your lungs hurt just watching.
Of course, everything in "The Edge of Love" is a bit glossed. Caitlin and Vera certainly looked nothing like Miller and Knightley, nor Dylan like Rhys for that matter. And while the film is set in the midst of World War II, with the exception of one or two brief scenes, the main characters’ tumultuous romances remain front and center.
Although the film premiered in the United Kingdom at last year’s Edinburgh Film Festival, it debuts in U.S. theaters on a limited run this month, arriving at the Varsity Theatre March 20.
For those interested in the film’s literary reference or its historical wartime setting, "The Edge of Love" represents a forgettable cinematic experience, but one with plenty of unlikely romance, drama and pretty faces.
Reach A&E editor Joe Darda at arts@dailyuw.com.
Marcello Ristorante: Bringing Italy to Seattle
By Natasha Lee
Photo by Jennifer Au.
Dario Magaletti, co-owner of Marcello, prepares the house special risotto, a dish his mother used to make.
4.5/5.0
Looking for the perfect romantic dinner? Well, look no further because Marcello Ristorante is the place to go.
With dimmed lights, an elegant fireplace and a beautifully decorated interior with paintings and wine racks — not to mention authentic Italian food — Marcello’s, located at 7115 Roosevelt Way N.E., has it all.
The restaurant is operated by the Magaletti brothers, Marcello and Dario, with the help of their parents. Originally from Italy, the brothers decided to come to the United States when they both fell in love with and married American women.
Both have backgrounds in different areas: Marcello Magaletti was previously an architect, while Dario Magaletti worked in the microbiology department at the UW.
When the owners of the previous restaurant, which Marcello managed, decided to sell, the brothers decided that running a restaurant might be fun and bought the place.
“It’s a different flair of Italian cuisine,” Dario Magaletti said.
The antipasta is a great way to start a meal at Marcello’s. The bruschetta can almost be a meal in itself with four large pieces of bread served with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil. Every bite brings a garlicky flavor with a crunch of fresh tomatoes. Even for those who do not like garlic, this antipasta is not to be missed.
One of Marcello’s signature dishes, the orecchiette valeria, is from the Magaletti’s hometown Apulia, which is nestled in the southern hills of Italy. This recipe comes from a friend of the family’s in Apulia. The pasta, orecchiette, is known as “little ears” pasta and actually comes from Apulia as well. From the smooth marinara sauce to the pasta itself, this dish has a very distinctive and flavorful taste.
The ravioli crema is also a delectable dish, consisting of four cheese and spinach ravioli in a creamy alfredo sauce. It’s not too cheesy and the sauce is not overpowering, but it is very rich. The creaminess of the sauce and burst of cheese flavor practically melt in your mouth.
The entrees can be heavy, so make sure to save room for dessert. Marcello’s offers a variety of desserts, including various flavors of sorbet, homemade chocolate mousse and other custard-like treats. But the homemade tiramisu is a must. It is unlike your average tiramisu with multiple layers of spongy coffee cake and custard. This tiramisu has only two layers made up of a spongy espresso and cinnamon flavored cake and a custard that’s not as sweet as it is savory.
Marcello’s provides a taste of Italy without traveling across the world. Its one-of-a-kind menu along with a comfortable atmosphere make the dining experience remarkable. For the average college student, though, the prices can be on the high end. Keep Marcello’s in mind for the next anniversary or birthday; it will be one to remember.
Reach contributing writer Natasha Lee at development@dailyuw.com.
0 Comments
0 Comments
Post a comment
You must login with your dailyuw.com account or connect with Facebook to post a comment.
If you have any questions about this policy, send us an email. We'd love to hear your thoughts.
Post a comment
You must login with your dailyuw.com account or connect with Facebook to post a comment.
If you have any questions about this policy, send us an email. We'd love to hear your thoughts.