The Edge of Love

Have you noticed all the florals in the shops lately? If you haven't, you're head is firmly in the sand or you have a vision problem. The retail chains have been churning out to tea-dresses and winsome, floaty pussy-cat bow blouses inspired by Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller's star turn in The Edge of Love - based on the relationship between poet Dylan Thomas, his wife Caitlin (Miller) and Dylan's childhood love, Vera (Knightley). The film is set in war-time Britain, where Vera is unveiled in the opening scene singing Blue Tahitian Moon in a bunker in the tunnels of the London underground.

A little cartoon-like, but as always Knightley is stunning - if a little starved.

The film has been criticised for being flimsy, convoluted, confused and a play on the truth (apparently Vera never had a sexual relationship with Thomas). I'm not entirely sure historical accuracy was quite what the film was going for. It is beautifully shot: variously in bomb-struck London (where the love affair between Vera and her husband - soldier William Killick (played by cutie Cillian Murphy) commences; and then at Cardigan Bay, Wales ,where Thomas' need to have Vera as his own intensifies.

Vera is soon picked by Caitlin as "one of those girls" - she who never stops loving her first love.

The study of the friendship - and ultimate betrayal - between Caitlin and Vera is fascinating. It's amazing to see the closeness - brought about first by both girls' mutual feelings for Thomas - ultimately ripped apart by Thomas himself. Matthew Rhys is a great Dylan - simultaneously charming, vulnerable, cruel, ungrateful and taking all he can from both his loves. Sienna is unrecognisable as Caitlin - I must admit to a new level of respect for her after the film (quickly got over that given her home-wrecking activities of late) and Keira is wonderful as Vera. As an interesting side note, Keira has commented on her sadness following the end of filming because she no longer sees Sienna despite their closeness during filming and promotional activities. Like "ships passing in the night". The trauma of war is vaguely demonstrated, but given how central that is to the events later in the film, perhaps there could have been more of a depiction on that point - without being unnecessarily gory.

Back to the clothes: Sienna Miller and Keira Knightley are decked out in gorgeous 1940s style: first as hip young things with seamed stockings and finger-curls in war-ravaged London, and later rambling the heaths of Wales in floral tea-dresses, chunky knit cardigans and high-waisted pencil skirts. My god it looks freezing there! The girls splash around in wellies and florals, warmed up with a woollen pea coat and knee-high socks - red lips in tact at all times. It's a fabulous look, but alas - a one season wonder I'm sure!

It's all about the friendship. Sadly, sharing husbands isn't the done thing in Western culture