Edmond is an ordinary man living a conventional life with a steady job and a wife. One day, fed up with his mundane existence, he decides to start living a more fulfilling life. The first thing he does is tell his wife that she neither stimulates him spiritually nor sexually, and as a result, he is leaving their home. He then wanders the streets, primarily in search of a hookup. However, Edmond doesn’t find what he’s looking for and instead ends up on society’s darker side, where everyone he encounters tries to exploit him. But Edmond refuses to be a victim.
The film can be described as a somewhat morbid version of Falling Down, with a slight dash of Eyes Wide Shut, though unfortunately, it is not as successful as either.
It is based on a play by David Mamet, who reportedly went through a difficult divorce during the writing process back in 1982. Originally, it was a one-man stage play. Horror film legend Stuart Gordon was tasked with directing this adaptation, though the story doesn’t particularly suit his style. Edmond is, first and foremost, a drama with little humour—quite a contrast to Gordon’s signature dark comedy in films like Re-Animator and Dagon, or his family-friendly work such as The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Gordon is an expert in imaginative, entertaining films, so directing a heavy drama with few horror elements seems like a waste of his creative talents.
The always-excellent William H. Macy leads the film as Edmond, appearing in nearly every scene. He is supported by well-known actors in minor roles, including Denise Richards, Jeffrey Combs, George Wendt, Julia Stiles, Frances Bay, and several others—though most of them only appear briefly. Despite the solid acting, the film ultimately doesn’t quite work. Edmond is the only character we truly get to know, yet he remains difficult to sympathise with or understand, as he comes across as either foolish or slightly unhinged. There is little to no explanation for his actions beyond his frustration with his mundane life, which isn’t enough—especially when far stronger and more compelling films have tackled the same theme.
Overall, Edmond is a decent film, but it could have been much better with greater depth.
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