Dylan Thomas film revives the Menage a Trois
A new film has been made about enigmatic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
Young stars who die young often become icons, and the talented Thomas, who died at age 39, was no different.
To add to his allure, Dylan was wild and unorthodox in his way of living. He was not the timid poet writing soothing sonnets about unrequited love. Dylan was a hugely passionate figure who seemingly had no boundaries. The film that has been made about him - called 'The Edge of Love' - centres on his relationship with his wife Caitlin who was every bit as intense as her husband.
Anybody with an appreciation of poetry is blown away by the enormous depth of Dylan’s writing. He captures in words the very essence of the human experience in all of life’s misery, pain and pleasure. Some of Dylan Thomas' more famous works include 'Under Milk Wood' and 'And death shall have no dominion'
Matthew Rhys in the upcoming film, with a performance described as 'superb'.
Dylan was undoubtedly a ‘genius’ who lived and loved to the extreme. Although he loved his wife with an almost manic passion he was a womanizer. Sienna Miller plays Caitlin Thomas and she shows her character to be as fond of booze as her husband. Her complexity only added to Dylan’s fascination for her. Caitlin was no ordinary wife and she had enormous influence over her husband. This woman had no sexual hang-ups and was very in touch with her own sensuality. Miller successfully shows the many sides to Caitlin’s person. Like Miller, Rhys has the opportunity to play a character that seems almost confusing in his love of home life, womanizing, violence and genuine love for his wife.
A million stories could be told about this twosome but into the storminess of their relationship there is another figure. Vera, played by Keira Knightley, is the childhood sweetheart of Dylan. Her husband has gone to war and she spends time with Dylan and Caitlin . This triangle of emotional intensity and sexual tension is formed when the two women grow close.
‘The Edge of Love’ is directed by John Maybury. The film is intelligent enough to tell the story of a highly creative and intelligent man. The two women who influenced his life ultimately influenced his poetry and those who continue to read it. John Maybury has allowed beautiful close-ups of the women and these are enough to read many of their thoughts and desires. Dylan who gave the impression of being a wild man at the helm was indeed firmly entrapped by the passion of women. This story that has enthralled many over the last fifty years will premiere on June 19. ‘The Edge of Love’ will be released in the United Kingdom June 27.
