The Razor's Edge (1984)

Set in 1917 Illinois just before the U.S. joins WWI, a young man (Bill Murray) brought up in wealth and privilege has volunteered as an ambulance driver in the war in Europe. When the war ends, he finds himself a changed man who no longer desires the privileged life he led before. So he goes to Europe and eventually India trying to find some meaning to his life. Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham (previously filmed in 1946) and directed by John Byrum (INSERTS). The film received poor reviews and was a commercial failure. The movie's first 25 minutes are a mess but if you can survive them, there are good things to be found. This was a passion project for Bill Murray yet he doesn't fully invest himself in the part. There's still enough of his comedic SNL persona to keep us at bay. It's an earnest  and well intended movie but slightly grandiose which negates a film about a man trying to rid himself of excess and simplify his life. The best thing about the movie is Theresa Russell as the tragic Sophie whose performance cuts through the clutter. With Catherine Hicks, Denholm Elliott, James Keach, Faith Brook, Brian Doyle Murray and Helen Horton.