Review of East of Eden (1955) by Isabel A — 25 Sep 2013

If you have not read the book to this film, then the disappointment will not be great. East of Eden is an undistinguished film set in the 1940s. Protagonized by Cal Trask (played by James Dean), this movie relates the young man's journey to discovering truths about himself and others that will change his life forever.

While Dean plays a convincing Cal, the rest of his co-stars lack aptitude. Neither the story line nor the characters correlate too closely to the book, as the film starts towards the end of the novel, and does a poor job of giving important background information about the protagonists.

The tale goes at a relatively fast pace, making it hard for the viewer to make essential connections within the narrative. The absence of Lee and Samuel Hamilton (principal characters in Steinbeck's novel), Aron's conflicted character, and Abra's mixed messages make this a befuddling (as well as unenjoyable) movie for those who have read the book.

If you're looking for a short and mediocre drama, however, East of Eden is the movie for you.