#CANNES: “THE SWEET EAST” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Cinematographer Sean Price Williams (Good Time) steps into the Director’s chair and delivers the engrossing The Sweet East.

It follows Lillian (Talia Ryder) who’s craving more excitement in her life. While on a high school trip to Washington, D.C. an opportunity arises to get a first glimpse of the wider world. This takes her on a road trip across the cities and woods of the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. Along the way she runs into many different personalities.

The Sweet East plays out like Alice In Wonderland, but is set in present-day America. Lillian initially begins her road trip odyssey by travelling through a glass mirrored door in a karaoke bar. From there she begins the journey that takes her across different ‘worlds’, just as Alice does. She hops across these worlds and experiences different parts of modern-day America. Some may argue that these different realms resemble different cults operating within the country today. Those people wouldn’t be far off. One of the most memorable stops on Lillian’s journey is when she meets Lawrence (Simon Rex) at what can only be considered a white nationalist gathering.

Director Williams and Screenwriter Nick Pinkerton know what the preconceptions of Lawrence will be, as they are what Lillian’s preconceptions are. But Pinkerton and Williams are more concerned with delivering complex characters. Ones who are deeply flawed but will surprise you and make you see them in different lights. For instance, no matter how many times Lillian attempts to seduce Lawrence, his morals won’t allow him to indulge.

Rex gives a controlled, nuanced performance as a white nationalist (who idealizes Nazis and has Hitler’s Autobiography in his house) with set morals on the sexual front. Sure, he considers and romanticizes the idea of being with Lillian. Yet, he’ll never give in to those desires.

As Lillian travels through each ‘world’ it becomes clear that Williams and Pinkerton are delivering a critique on present-day America. Each ‘world’ delivers a different point of American idealism, possibly none more so than when she happens to run into Producer Matthew (Jeremy O. Harris) and Director Molly (Ayo Edebiri) in New York City who demands she is in their film. This clearly plays into the belief in the American Dream. Lillian comes from no film background but because of her look, this duo MUST have her play their lead role. Harris and Edebiri are outstanding and share a magnetic chemistry that demands to be witnessed.

With a subject such as this, you’d assume The Sweet East is a dark Drama. However, it’s actually a delightful witty Comedy. There is perfect comedic timing from the entire Cast and the precision with which the Script is carried out, in the steady hands of Williams, makes for a singular viewing experience.

At the heart of the Film is Lillian played by insurmountable upcoming talent Ryder, who some will know from her powerful performance in Never Rarely Sometimes Always. She commands each frame of the Film in a true star-making role. The Sweet East is really about a teenage girl going on a gritty road trip through the East of America. Most thrilling is that Lillian is never naive or gullible. Ryder plays her with full control of her own circumstances and uses her own devices to get herself out of sticky situations. 

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The Sweet East screens in part of the Director’s Fortnight sidebar of Cannes ’23 on:

Thu May 18 at 12PM at THÉÂTRE CROISETTE

Thu May 18 at 8:45PM at THÉÂTRE CROISETTE

Fri May 19 at 9AM at LICORNE

Fri May 19 at 11:30AM at ARCADES 1

Fri May 19 at 4:30PM at ALEXANDRE III