#TIFF24: “EDEN” REVIEW

By David Baldwin

It is 1929 and Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his partner Dora Strauch (Vanessa Kirby) have decided to renounce many of their worldly possessions to start fresh on the isle of Floreana. They are pleased with their decision, at least until other people show up on the island with their own agendas. And let’s just say that all of the new neighbours do not exactly get along.

That’s the short and sweet elevator pitch for Oscar-winning Director Ron Howard’s latest film, EDEN. The Film feels like a radical departure for the veteran filmmaker, favouring grit, brutality, violence and high-tension scenarios as opposed to his normal, safe style. This change of pace does not always work out for Howard (specifically, when it comes to some of the camera work), but I admire his trying to make a picture that is completely out of his wheelhouse. Had the film been tightened up from its current 129-minute running time, removed one or two montages and had a better sense of tone, I am certain it would be a whole hell of a lot stronger.

That said, a Second Act birthing scene is a terrifyingly intense thing of beauty.

Acting wise, the ensemble – perhaps the single hottest Cast assembled as of late – do what they can to breathe life into this chaotic tale with varying results. Law is positively outrageous here, fearlessly reveling in the inherent hedonism of this potentially true story. Kirby goes completely underused and Daniel Brühl never gets the standout moment he needs to sell the character properly. The same cannot be said for Hollywood “It Girl”, the lava hot Sydney Sweeney, who does an excellent job as the naïve wife of Brühl’s character. Her accent is a little dodgy in some instances but her commitment to the role is stellar to watch. De Armas fairs even better, delivering a deliciously unhinged performance that allows her to steal the show out from everyone. Her accent work is impeccable (especially in comparison to something like Andrew Dominik’s Blonde) and her devious manipulation tactics add together to make her into a villain you will not soon forget.

EDEN screens at TIFF ’24:

Saturday, September 7 at 5:45PM at Roy Thomson Hall

Sunday, September 8 at 10:30AM at Roy Thomson Hall

Friday, September 13 at 10:30AM at TIFF Lightbox

Saturday, September 14 at 1:00PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto