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Summary: Whatever Happened to "East of Eden"?
Review: "East of Eden", is one of the most emotional films ever made. That doesn't mean that it's necessarily a tearjerker or a romantic movie, it means that it is one of those rare example in the world of the cinema where the performances, especially James Dean's, the direction, cinematography, writing, etc. all combine perfectly to create a moody atmosphere, a surreal ambiance yet so painfully real. It's almost like an excrutiating, darkly beautiful journey through the mind, body, and spirit of several ordinary everyday people existing in California, in early 1900's America. It's completely absorbing from beginning to end, the viewer doesn't merely look at or watch this movie, you become involved with the people, especially with James Dean (Cal Trask), and their experiences, and interactions. "East of Eden" is truly a unique and unforgettable experience!What is baffling concerning this film is that the video distribution of it seems to have fallen into a deep black hole and seems that it will not see the light of day on either DVD(especially), and VHS. Please, if anyone has any info. on the prospects of this great movie, please share it with the millions of people who would buy it as soon as it was made available on DVD and VHS. Warner Bros. or whoever owns the rights of video distribution please don't treat "East of Eden" like "Cal Trask" was treated by his father!
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Summary: James Dean's Greatest Film
Review: Alright its about time that the DVD for this movie came out. The movie itself I thought was incredible well made. The story was beautiful and some of the scenes were perfectly staged.
And of course there's James Dean. This is his best film. "Rebel Without a Cause" was good but over-done and a little rediculous at times, and Dean wasn't in "Giant" enough to warrent it being his best work.
All in all a great movie and the DVD needs to come out.
Rating:
Summary: James Dean's Greatest Film
Review: Alright its about time that the DVD for this movie came out. The movie itself I thought was incredible well made. The story was beautiful and some of the scenes were perfectly staged.
And of course there's James Dean. This is his best film. "Rebel Without a Cause" was good but over-done and a little rediculous at times, and Dean wasn't in "Giant" enough to warrent it being his best work.
All in all a great movie and the DVD needs to come out.
Rating: 
Summary: James Dean's Best Performance
Review: Although this may be the least known of Dean's three major films, I think this is by far his best performance and the one that most fully explores his talent. Dean stars as the troubled son of Raymond Massey, always trying to please his father, but without much success. Richard Davalos is Dean's brother, and he has his father's love and the love of a sensitive young girl played by Julie Harris. The boys are named Cal and Aaron, which reminds us of Cain and Abel, and so does their relationship. Dean gives one of those raw, emotional performances that is sometimes almost uncomfortable to watch it is so real. The rest of the cast is also excellent, with Jo Van Fleet giving an edgy portrayal of the boys "lost" mother. The struggle for approval and the feeling of not fitting in is one that we can all appreciate, and it is sensitively and dramatically presented. The Steinbeck story is a classic, and in the hands of director Elia Kazan and his terrific cast, so is the movie.
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Summary: a challenge to the myth
Review: Based on the final chapters of the homonymous J.Steinbeck's novel, Elia Kazan's East of Eden is an authentic masterpiece in its own right, a classic art film.
For those who've read the novel, the epic characters from the novel become more realistic in the film; notably Kate, who, in the novel is the personification of evil, in the film is a vital, independent woman motivated and acting by reason, as best as she is allowed by social circumstance. I suppose that, with Kazan's directions, Paul Osborn, the scriptwriter, helped to formulate this almost new character more distinctly, by the dialogues. The same is true for all the characters; in the novel the story is an elaboration on the biblical myth of Cain and Abel, and the heroes evolve as pure and massive spiritual forces incarnate; in the film the heroes are more like real people, of virtue and failure.
This allows a most charming youth, as James Dean then, to masterly implement his role with real empathy, as an (unappreciated by his good -yet- insensitive father) adolescent with a wealth of love, filial loyalty and affection, who can also be dangerous when wounded. He really reverses the tables, and becomes the charmer instead of his brother, the gifted with innocence and father- beloved first borne...
It was the Fifties, the world had come out of a most homicidal war, which had let women in the production process, in the place of the conscripts, new social strata had come out with wealth and a better position; the demand for change was aired by the popular art production most eloquently, too. It spelled challenge to the eternality of old arrangements, social or "mythical', including the concepts of good and evil and the estate of womanhood.
Drastically yet artfully, a question to the truths of the myth is put forth in and with this classic film, that helped to create new popular images as well as to popularise new ideas.
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Summary: Incredibly powerful and important
Review: Being a film buff since I was a teen, I cannot believe it took until I was 31 to finally see "East Of Eden". I remember the hubub about the TV miniseries in the early 80s, and I guess that planted the impression on my young mind that it's a trashy sudser akin to Harold Robbins (what else was I to think from all those "parental guidance" warnings?). And now 20 years after that, I'm surprised that I have hardly seen anything written about this original version in all the books and articles I have read on movies. Because it is so GREAT! I was socked in the gut by this one. It is not easy for films to move me on a deep level, but this one sure did. It was the first time in quite a while that a movie made me really cry and feel it. The scene where James Dean finally tries to buy his father's love--though thinking it's the right thing to do--and realizes his futility, is stunning. He becomes so overwhelmed with pain that he even tries to hug his father. It's one of the most wrenching moments ever captured on film. This moment is so great and so powerful that if it doesn't get to the core of one's being, then I don't know what will. That brilliant cinematic moment then leads to a series of extraordinary events that makes for dynamite suspense and storytelling (no I haven't read the book yet). But aside from the cinematic brilliance of "East Of Eden" (the extraordinay cast, namely Mr. James Dean, whose legend now makes complete sense after seeing this; the set pieces, the script, the direction), it ultimately is a heartwrenching look at our most primal need in human life: a desperate, innate need for our parents' love. This one will hit you hard, so be prepared.
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Summary: East of Eden
Review: Despite the huge popularity James Dean garnered with his roles in the classic "Rebel Without A Cause" and the epic "Giant", it is in "East of Eden" that Dean truly solidified himself as a quality actor and not just a teen idol. In my opinion this movie is Dean's masterpiece. He showcases his entire range of acting abilities as well as charming audiences with his trademark good looks. Dean is supported by an excellent cast and the legendary direction of Elia Kazan. "East of Eden" is also one of the few movies which isn't overshadowed by the fact that it was an adaptation of a literary masterpiece, which itself was written by Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author John Steinbeck. This film truly defines the term "classic". For anyone who hasn't had the privelege of seeing this movie, I strongly suggest that you do. You will not be disappointed. For those of us who have, then we know that the privelege has been all ours.
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Summary: Wonderful acting by James Dean and Jo Van Fleet.
Review: East of Eden is a great, sprawling American novel by nobel prize winning author John Steinbeck. The film East of Eden, directed by Elia Kazan, dramatizes only a small part of the magnificent book. However, what the film does, it does exceptionally well, thanks to the riveting performances of James Dean and academy award winner Jo Van Fleet. Much has been written about Dean as an actor and what is certainly true is that when he is on screen, you can't take your eyes off him. As young Cal Trask, Dean vies for the attention and love of his father, Adam, Raymond Massesy, with his twin brother Aaron, Richard Davalos. Cal is a loser, no matter what he does, and Dean portrays sensitively the conflict Cal feels as he grows to manhood unloved and uncared for. The rivalry between Cal and Aaron for their father's love as well as the affections of Abra, Aaron's girlfriend played by Julie Harris, generates much of the action and dramatic tension of the film. All Cal's gifts are rejected by his father, in contrast to Aaron, whose presents are appreciated and valued. Like Cain in the Bible, Cal has a dark side which he thinks comes from his mother Kate, who abandoned him at birth and whom he has discovered runs a brothel in Salinas, California, a short train ride from the Trask ranch. Cal introduces himself to Kate, played to perfection by Jo Van Fleet, first to try to learn about himself, who he is and why he experiences his inner rage and frustration. Later he will borrow money from her to invest in order to help his bankrupt father. Cal's investment in bean futures, just prior to America's entry in World War I, pays off, but his father rejects his money in a confrontation which moves us toward the dramatic conclusion of the film. The scenes with Dean and Van Fleet are the highlight of the film and a treasure of American movie making. Both actors are electric with Dean drawing from his inner uncertainty and fire and Van Fleet, the consumate professional, using all her skills and intelligence. They approach one another gingerly, each testing the response of the other, not trusting themselves and their own emotions, and finally becoming frustrated with their inablility to connect with one another. These scenes are wonderful to watch. We should not expect a happy ending and we don't get it. East of Eden, released in 1955, justly takes its place in a small list of fine American films, not just because of the great performances of James Dean and Jo Van Fleet, but also because it dramatizes timeless themes in a most convincing fashion. Those viewers who love the film and like to read will almost certainly enjoy the novel on which the film is based.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful acting by James Dean and Jo Van Fleet.
Review: East of Eden is a great, sprawling American novel by nobel prize winning author John Steinbeck. The film East of Eden, directed by Elia Kazan, dramatizes only a small part of the magnificent book. However, what the film does, it does exceptionally well, thanks to the riveting performances of James Dean and academy award winner Jo Van Fleet. Much has been written about Dean as an actor and what is certainly true is that when he is on screen, you can't take your eyes off him. As young Cal Trask, Dean vies for the attention and love of his father, Adam, Raymond Massesy, with his twin brother Aaron, Richard Davalos. Cal is a loser, no matter what he does, and Dean portrays sensitively the conflict Cal feels as he grows to manhood unloved and uncared for. The rivalry between Cal and Aaron for their father's love as well as the affections of Abra, Aaron's girlfriend played by Julie Harris, generates much of the action and dramatic tension of the film. All Cal's gifts are rejected by his father, in contrast to Aaron, whose presents are appreciated and valued. Like Cain in the Bible, Cal has a dark side which he thinks comes from his mother Kate, who abandoned him at birth and whom he has discovered runs a brothel in Salinas, California, a short train ride from the Trask ranch. Cal introduces himself to Kate, played to perfection by Jo Van Fleet, first to try to learn about himself, who he is and why he experiences his inner rage and frustration. Later he will borrow money from her to invest in order to help his bankrupt father. Cal's investment in bean futures, just prior to America's entry in World War I, pays off, but his father rejects his money in a confrontation which moves us toward the dramatic conclusion of the film. The scenes with Dean and Van Fleet are the highlight of the film and a treasure of American movie making. Both actors are electric with Dean drawing from his inner uncertainty and fire and Van Fleet, the consumate professional, using all her skills and intelligence. They approach one another gingerly, each testing the response of the other, not trusting themselves and their own emotions, and finally becoming frustrated with their inablility to connect with one another. These scenes are wonderful to watch. We should not expect a happy ending and we don't get it. East of Eden, released in 1955, justly takes its place in a small list of fine American films, not just because of the great performances of James Dean and Jo Van Fleet, but also because it dramatizes timeless themes in a most convincing fashion. Those viewers who love the film and like to read will almost certainly enjoy the novel on which the film is based.
Rating:
Summary: Official release announcement
Review: East of Eden will be released by Warner Home Video on May 31st 2005. Part of a three title set called, "The Complete James Dean Collection", which also includes the existing two-disc version of "Giant", and a new 2-disc edition of "Rebel Without a Cause". East of Eden will be a 2-disc release, and all titles will be available separately, as well as part of the three title set. Full details can be found at www.einsiders.com
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