IR TV Review: EAST OF EDEN [Netflix]
This new adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel done by Zoe Kazan is an interesting generational play because Kazan’s grandfather Elia directed the famed film of the same name starring James Dean in 1955 among his other works. Whereas that film just adapted the third part of the novel, Kazan’s 7-part limited series spans the whole novel which really allows for more of the context to show through but also address some of the things and characters which were maybe not possible or adjusted for the time period. Zoe has some great instincts. Her film she made with partner Paul Dano: "Wildlife" starring Carey Mulligan many years back was a highlight of Sundance to this day. She really knows how to write and that shows here. The original material had a bit of melodrama but Kazan finds a way to bring it to bear which is helped by a great cast who are all doing different things. Florence Pugh playing Kathy/Kate is obviously the antagonist most of the whole story but the way it plays she undoes everyone of her own volition because she says it is her nature. Pugh knows how to play this well. She leans into her unlikability but also her allure and her power. One scene towards the end of the series which involves laughing and crying is done with such telling. There is a plot device towards the end (whether or not in the book) that seems a little contrived considering the rest of the series but that can be accepted.
Fairing even better than Pugh and worthy of an Emmy and awards is Hoon Lee who plays Lee. Lee was seen in "Warrior" as well on Max which explored the San Francisco underworld of this same time period. Lee is fantastic here because of his arch and what he portrays, its importance, its heart and its drama. It is just beautifully done. Christopher Abbott as Adam, the long suffering husband, of Kate has a harder ideal to play since he has his own arch to play but Lee’s moments starting with the always great Ciaran Hinds as Hamilton through to his interactions with Cal, the role James Dean played and Abra, the love interest of Cal’s brother Aron, really paint the life of these people. It helps to watch the 1955 version before because it just shows the surface. Here you are able to see Adam’s journey in a way to make him empathetic in what he was but also the numerous mistakes he made, both of his own fault and others. Kate’s decisions seem dark but that is just her way. Granted what she did in her youth as we see qualifies as psychopathic but we are not given a certain reasoning with a tunnel motif. Now what it suggests in the final moments could be anything, a premonition, a drug-induced trance or an abusive trauma. But Kazan brings a certain literical reference in Alice which makes sense even if it is more metaphorical. There is also a bridge of two episodes that shows how Kate/Kathy got where she was after leaving (which we never see in the 1955 film). Martha Plimpton as Faye, the madam of the house Kate works at in Salinas, is interesting casting but also shows the manipulation of Kate. Again the motivation is fleeting because it is unsure what ultimately Kate really wants. She simply says she doesn’t want to be tied down. She goes to lengths to exercise this right but it just seems elusive in her progression. Pugh makes you believe it though. The build of the writing shifts back and forth with characters so you get to know them enough. Joseph Zada plays Cal who inherited some aspects of his mom but also his father. He plays him more grounded and real than Dean who always came off a little whiny. But it also shifts a plot point from that version which makes a lot more sense but it also changes a motivation.
Tragedy and loss was always a stalwart of this story with people wanting something but most of them, save one, not able to find out what they truly want and how to achieve it. This series, unlike the film which shot in Northern California, was shot in New Zealand which really captures the feeling while being also untouchable. Ridley Scott did similar recently with "The Dog Stars" by subbing in parts of Italy for the Rocky Mountains. Showing the beginning notes of the story right Post Civil War with Adam and his half brother Charles really makes a difference and having the great Tracey Letts play the father is inspired casting with his background but also his ability to sink into a role. His character causes the problem that precludes the main story though not as much as Kate. Time is fleeting and "The Garden" as shown here is all about the fact that the apple falls out of the tree. The fact that the analogy to Cain and Abel and Adam and Eve to the original novel still plays exceptionally here as it did (but less so) in the film. The beginning of the "East Of Eden" series is much more grounded than the ending (which Elia Kazan used). The series does still have to stick to a certain landing (see again plot device). But that said the series is still a vivid piece of work from an exceptional writer. Zoe Kazan also decided to simply control the story while she brought in others to direct which is a great choice and lets the story breathe. "East Of Eden" surpasses its predecessor which was confined by the boundaries of its day but still went out to win multiple Oscars. This telling is much more complete and nuanced doing as much as it can from the source material in making it modem but also classic and dramatic in its telling with standout performances by Pugh but especially Hoon Lee. 87%/B+
By Tim Wassberg
