THE RAZOR'S EDGE (1984) *** Armed with the cache of international megahit Ghostbusters, incidentally the greatest film in the history of mankind, Bill Murray set a course for even more overtly serious material. And did a great job with it. To a slight extent he is hindered by the success of his comedic personae, the odd facial gesture or ponderous intonation may involuntarily make you recall a moment of brilliant madness for his other work, but the associations are hardly unpleasant or more distracting than the stuff you invariably get with Brando. The sets are Hollywood epic wonderful, you don't feel so much that you're actually in the time so much as in a more illustrative recreation, W. Somerset Maugham's work is treated respectfully if playfully, and excellent performances are offered by Theresa Russell (especially in the most dramatic moments, her hospital scene is brilliant, too close to reality to be anything but terrifying), Brian Doyle-Murray (particularly during his insulting impromptu eulogies), and Peter Vaughan (especially while toasting). Still it's Bill Murray's baby, this was always a project that would live or die on the strength of his performance as a dramatic actor, and he rises brilliantly to the occasion in his own unique manner. It's Hollywood's loss that his greatest dramatic talents have been utilized sparingly over the years.
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