Eden Movie Review

“Eden” is based on the true story of Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his wife, Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby), who, when fascism started spreading in the 1930s, abandoned Germany and everything they were to inhabit the island of Floreana, in the Galapagos. ​

Not a popular thing at the time, but it catches on. The movie is about their unwelcome neighbors and how, ultimately, we all handle unsolicited advances in our lives.

The world had collapsed at the end of World War 1 I. The U.S. Stock market crashed, which led to the Great Depression. Things were looking bleak everywhere. Countries needed healing. Ritter wanted to write a new philosophy for everyone to live by. His quotes are used fantastically. Since they are, you’ll want to jump on the Ritter train when you hear them. He speaks of how everyone likes and wants freedom, and then they get lazy regarding that freedom, “which leads to fascism, which leads to war.” Ritter and Dore are hardly the perfect couple. They’re beginning to see things much differently; their relationship started more loving than it has become. The actors make you more aware of this than the script does.

She was desperate that being on the island and parting with their hectic life would cure her of her Multiple Sclerosis. That’s suddenly not his focus.

When others come to their island, he gets somewhat territorial. They went to the island to be left alone, not for others to bring their opinions and craziness. A scene where a baby is delivered is all you need to see to know what Ron Howard was going for. Also, the title explains the movie by saying what everyone on the island is going for, but can’t quite reach, or can they? Maybe if they try harder to get along?

“Eden” is filled with so much deception that if you’re not a big fan of noir, it could turn you off. Luckily, the actors are perfect at handling tension, because pressure builds as if you’re watching a boiling pot with a not-so-secure lid.

As you get further into the movie, you can get aggravated. An often-slow script leads you all over the place, toying with you. Despite this, you walk away with having seen a powerful film, brilliantly shot, with incredible performances, but with a sense of doom not only for what these people went through, but for the future. You might think, if there’s no hope for people as insightful, thoughtful, cultured, and knowledgeable as those here, what hope is there for humanity? This thought may go through your mind in the end. Speaking of the end, this is based on a true story, so stay during the credits for real footage and to learn a bit more about them.

The movie presents a variety of scenarios, ranging from intense drama to an adult take on “Lord of the Flies.” You may see it as overwhelming the audience at once. But it’s Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, with a score from Academy Award-winning Hans Zimmer and a fantastic cast that you must trust. It has a few issues, but don’t let them keep you away.