Edward II

Stars: Steven Waddington (The Last of the Mohicans), Annie Lennox ("Eurythmics" and solo pop star). AIDS-stricken director Derek Jarman's work has always seemed to me to be little more than visual love letters to his boyfriends (a good recent example is the obtuse The Last of England), and Edward II--while offering more narrative than is characteristic in a Jarman photo shoot--is still another boy toy flick. Actually, if it weren't for the fact that Jarman has arty pretensions, this could simply be dismissed as beefcake. Based on the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe's play about 14th-century British king Edward II (Steven Waddington), the story traces the downfall of this openly gay king who ignored his queen (Tilda Swinton) in favor of his male lover Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan). However, since Jarman's real purpose is to make an almost militant argument for gay rights, Edward's story takes a back burner position. Very contemporary looking marchers heft signs reading "Gay Desire Is Not a Crime" during this supposedly medieval time, while policemen in full riot squad regalia and men dressed in WWII military uniforms crop up throughout the film. What comes through loud and clear in Edward II is the filmmaker's dislike of women, and his apparent interest in sadism (brutal beatings and one red hot poker up the bum fantasy sequence are filmed with almost loving care). Singer Annie Lennox's touted "scene-stealer" debut here consists of her singing the lovely Cole Porter tune "Every Time We Say Goodbye." Although the "scene" is only a music video, it's definitely one of the best scenes in the film. Audience: Most audiences will be either offended or bored, but the S & M crowd might enjoy this. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review--June 28, 2005--New Line, 90 min., R, $19.99--Making its first appearance on DVD, 1992's Edward II sports a nice transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. DVD extras include Tilda Swinton reading a tribute to Derek Jarman at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (25 min.), and a trailer. Bottom line: a small extras package for an unimpressive film.] [Blu-ray/DVD Review—July 24, 2018—Film Movement, 90 min., not rated, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1991’s Edward II features a nice transfer with LPCM 2.0 audio on the Blu-ray edition. Extras include a 'Derek’s Edward' production featurette (24 min.), and a 'Queenie Queens on Top' new essay by Bruce LaBruce with an introduction by star Tilda Swinton. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a decidedly lesser adaptation of Marlowe’s play.]