Review of Eden (2013) by Dyllan R — 05 Aug 2014

Eden is a movie that attempts to tackle the subject of sex trafficking with varying degrees of success. The film is purposefully non-exploitive, excluding scenes of graphic sex and violence in favour of suggestive imagery and themes.

While this is much appreciated from a viewer standpoint, it feels as if the filmmakers were holding back. From the moment that the lead character, played by Jamie Chung, is abducted, there is just that missing moment that drains all hope.

There are certainly sequences that strike fear, but nothing here delves deep enough to warrant a viewing. I was hoping to either get a deeper look at the crime world of sex trafficking, or get a well researched crime drama or even character study that the film turns into later, but none of these fully come to fruition.

As it is, it is a 90 minute drama that tells the tale of a girl who makes the most of her time as a slave. By no means is this the essential viewing that I thought it would be, but it is well acted and directed.

Check it out if the subject matter is of interest to you.