The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
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The Razor's Edge
Drama · Romance · 1984
An American WWI veteran undertakes a spiritual quest that takes him from Paris to Nepal to the Himalayas and back to his hometown. Upon his return, he discovers he is not the only one who has changed.
Movie details
The Razor's Edge
“The story of one man's search for himself.”
1984 Drama · Romance 2h 9m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.4 / 10
Community rating
An American WWI veteran undertakes a spiritual quest that takes him from Paris to Nepal to the Himalayas and back to his hometown. Upon his return, he discovers he is not the only one who has changed.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Razor's Edge?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
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An Officer and a Gentleman
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
John Byrum
Written by
John Byrum · Bill Murray
Bill Murray
Larry Darrell
Theresa Russell
Sophie MacDonald
Catherine Hicks
Isabel Bradley
Denholm Elliott
Elliott Templeton
James Keach
Gray Maturin
Peter Vaughan
Mackenzie
Brian Doyle-Murray
Piedmont
Court is in session
Put The Razor's Edge on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.