East of Eden Retro Review

East of Eden, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, itself a retelling of the story of Cain and Abel, follows Cal Trask (James Dean) a disenchanted young man searching for his place in the world. Cal also has to compete with his older and more accomplished brother for the affections of his strict father.

In the years following his death, three films were released starring the icon James Dean. They were all individually lauded as masterpieces and Dean himself a talent for the ages. Sadly he never got to see his rise to stardom. Of the three films East of Eden, at least in this writer’s opinion, is perhaps the strongest. A sprawling epic set during the depression era. The film asked questions of what it is to be human and what our place in this world is. Dean plays Cal, a lost young man searching for an identity and the acceptance of his father. Dean brings a heartbreaking angst and reality to the role. As with his other two films, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, he proved that he was an actor ahead of his time. Along with Brando he helped make realism the foundation of acting.

Elia Kazan’s camera beautifully captures the moody world of depression-era California. The interiors are draped in shadows and alienating angles. His images were revolutionary and encapsulated the true essence of cinema: to capture a story, an emotion, through images. These images, from Cal’s confrontation with his mother in a seedy Californian bar to an inspired scene involving a porch swing, are truly mesmerising. Kazan uses disorientating canted angles to great effect to create a fragile world of conflict and tension.

Many have criticised the script for what it chose to leave out from the book but in the hands of Kazan, a seasoned maverick, the film takes a hold of its slimmed down plot and focuses on what is important – the conflict of family and identity.

Dean’s supporting actors also deliver powerhouse performances. In particular Richard Davalos as the older brother, Aaron. Davalos captures Aaron’s descent from a secure and confident man to a man broken by the reality of life.

Luke Brookman