Review of The East (2013) by Nathan M — 18 Oct 2013

The East is an intriguing thriller by writer-actress Brit Marling, one that weaves together elements of eco-terrorism, drama, thriller, and moral nuance. Following an eco-terrorist group named the East, infiltrated by a private intelligence agent, the film weaves together an interesting blend of elements that make it a unique experience.

What I appreciated most about The East was its meditative tone. The film poses a number of questions, and gives us characters with complexity to channel those questions. There really is no clear protagonists or antagonists, and that's the idea. The film tries to paint a portrait of nuance, and does so largely authentically. We see the flaws at play with all of the characters involved, and thus we are forced to question their motivations and logic ourselves. This speaks to the films maturity, trusting the audience to make evaluations.

The script penned by Marling not only gives us interesting characters, but features authentic dialogue and situations that serve the story well. You never quite know what direction the film would take, and when the twists do happen, they mostly feel organic to the narrative itself.

While the script gives the film a sense of intelligence, it is the fine performances which give the film its real vibrancy. Ellen Page was characteristically great, but it's the palpable chemistry between Alexander Skarsgard and Brit Marling that takes center stage. Both posses a hidden complexity that gives the film the needed texture. These performances are set against tight direction which creates a very atmospheric tone, with a methodical pace.

The film's unique premise, diversity of charactes, and smartly written script make it a compelling drama overall. Another great entry form Fox Searchlight.

4/5 Stars.