“Edge of the Blade” (aka Une Affaire d’honneur) is a capable, entertaining and very good-looking period drama that borders on the swashbuckler, a genre that made Perez famous. The fights are ...

“Edge of the Blade” (aka Une Affaire d’honneur) is a capable, entertaining and very good-looking period drama that borders on the swashbuckler, a genre that made Perez famous. The fights are very well-handled, and the historical background is a fascinating one: on the one hand the craze for duels following freedom of the press laws (now journalists could freely tarnish people’s reputation), and first-wave feminism on the other. Both aspects, however, remain in the background and subservient to a main plot centering on male revenge. Considering who the real Marie-Rose Astié de Valsayre was (a freethinker, a doctor, a composer, a duellist, a passionate feminist), is the supporting character watches the last duel from a distance. The protagonist, on the other hand develops a vague crush on Ms. De Valsayre (cue aborted love story). All in all a good period piece entertainment.

“Edge of the Blade” (aka Une Affaire d’honneur) is a capable, entertaining and very good-looking period drama that borders on the swashbuckler, a genre that made Perez famous. The fights are ...

“Edge of the Blade” (aka Une Affaire d’honneur) is a capable, entertaining and very good-looking period drama that borders on the swashbuckler, a genre that made Perez famous. The fights are very well-handled, and the historical background is a fascinating one: on the one hand the craze for duels following freedom of the press laws (now journalists could freely tarnish people’s reputation), and first-wave feminism on the other. Both aspects, however, remain in the background and subservient to a main plot centering on male revenge. Considering who the real Marie-Rose Astié de Valsayre was (a freethinker, a doctor, a composer, a duellist, a passionate feminist), is the supporting character watches the last duel from a distance. The protagonist, on the other hand develops a vague crush on Ms. De Valsayre (cue aborted love story). All in all a good period piece entertainment.