Edge of the City

Directed by Martin Ritt, Edge of the City follows a drifter (John Cassavetes’ Axel Nordmann) as he lands a job working alongside soon-to-be-buddy Tommy Tyler (Sidney Poitier) and soon-to-be-nemesis Charlie Malick (Jack Warden). Filmmaker Ritt, making his debut here, delivers an erratically-paced yet mostly watchable drama that benefits from the efforts of a uniformly superb cast, as Cassavetes and Poitier turn in work that’s as electrifying and compelling as one might’ve anticipated (and it doesn’t hurt, either, that there exists palpable chemistry between the performers’ respective characters). There’s little doubt, as well, that Edge of the City‘s mild success is due in no small part to Ritt’s atmospheric approach to Robert Alan Aurthur’s screenplay, as the movie makes good use out of real-life New York City locations and generally feels almost documentary-like in its execution – with the authentic vibe, for the most part, compensating for a meandering midsection that contains exceedingly little in the way of forward momentum. The exciting climax (and memorable final shot) ensures that the whole thing finishes on a relatively positive note, at least, which effective cements Edge of the City‘s place as a decent-enough endeavor that works best as an actor’s showcase, ultimately.

**1/2 out of ****