Review of The East (2013) by Manny C — 27 Jun 2013

Eco-terror is at the center of The East, .but this provocative thriller is laced with a sense of humanity that transcends simple political agenda. Brit Marling, who co-wrote the script with director Zal Batmanglij, is seeking out something far deepers than mere escapism, showing that movies that do give a damn have a place in summer. She and the amazing Batmanglij, the two previously collaborated on 2012's Sound of My Voice which took on cults, are looking to challenge us beyond quick judgments. Be prepared to have all youo preconceptions rattled. There are some trips in this thriller, but its never less than a ride worth taking.

Marling is all kinds of terrific as Sarah Moss, an ex-F.B.I. operative working undercover for a private intelligence firm run with scary-efficiency by Sharon (Patricia Clarkson, excellent). Her first task is to infiltrate herself into the East, an eco-terrorist cell with an absolutist approach to taking on environmental crime. Oil execs who shrug over oil spills are in for shocks when they get home. It takes only a hoodie, some Birkenstocks and some trips into dumpster diving (eating thrown away food that is often still frssh) that gets Sarah into the East's good graces. There's some resistance, notably from Izzy (Ellen Page), an activist with her suspicions with a checkered outlaw past. The group has no official leader, but the alpha is essentially Benji (Alexander Skarsgard like you've never seen him), a literal dichotomy of peacenik/anarchist impulses. Attaining sexual interest from Benji gets her acceptance, as well as a crucial part in the group's upcoming plans (which they refer to as jams). their mission? Infiltrate a party for a pharmaceutical company and give them a hell of a surprise. It's a sequence imbued with pulse-pounding suspense.

There's more. Much more. But it isn't just the major plans that hooks us, it's also the emotional interplay in the group, and all the actors bring their A-games. Page is mesmerizing, especially in a heart-wrenching scene with her estranged father. Marling and Skarsgard are just as superb, deftly portraying characters who die just about everything except their grieving hearts. The film goes a bit off the rails by its climax, but its ably leaves you wanting more. All praise to Marling and Batmanglij for doing that rare thing in movies these days: making something that really matters.