Review of East of Eden (1955) by Matthew D — 19 Jun 2018

East of Eden is endlessly relatable and endearing. James Dean announces his career with a heartwarming performance as the lead Cal. You are immediately drawn in by Dean's magnetism. His awe inspiring good looks matched with his longing gazes create this mysterious loner persona. He is always being told he is a bad guy, but you get to watch Dean's character demonstrate his decency. It's a highly complex role that Dean nails with a nuance and sincerity most grown actors could not have pulled off.

Director Elia Kazan continues to reinvent the wheel with innovative direction and creative cinematography. You will see faces framed in the smallest viewpoints with constantly new perspectives to challenge your own notions of what these characters are thinking. For example, there is a beautiful shot with James Dean walking out from under a tree that moves into his silhouette that only a master director like Kazan could have managed.

Furthermore, Kazan even swings the camera while James Dean goes back and forth on a swing, then switches the angle of the camera to display the power balance shifting. East of Eden is filled with these symbolic moments depicted by visual metaphor. Kazan is at his best here. East of Eden is as good as A Streetcar Named Desire, Viva Zapata!, or On the Waterfront. Kazan was clearly a genius director.

John Steinbeck's writing is as beautiful and earnest as any classic drama script. Paul Osborn adapts the screenplay with a relatable quality through Dean's performance and character. East of Eden is as much a testimonial of the 1910's as it is a family drama or a forbidden romance story. This is top tier writing at its most refined.

Check out East of Eden for an American classic in drama, romance, and acting. Everything you could want in a great film in on display herein East of Eden.