+34
This new adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden struggles under the weight of its heavy biblical melodrama.
’s review was famously scathing of the novel, essentially a secular retelling of the Book of Genesis, describing it as “the precise equivalent of those 19th-century melodramas in which the villains could always be recognised because they waxed their moustaches”.
Other critics similarly decried it as overly melodramatic. But within months of its release,on streaming platforms, it seems an unusual choice for a modern update.
Then again, in some ways, a deeply American biblical allegory feels apt for the times – at least in the US. Written and produced by actor/writer Zoe Kazan, whose grandfather Elia directed the 1955 film adaptation that launched the career of James Dean, this incarnation allows for the entire multi-generational saga to play out, from the end of the American Civil War to the end of the Great War.
The original story – essentially a tale of the eternal conflict between good and evil – focused on two families, the Trasks and the Irish-American Hamiltons. The former mirrored the story of Cain and Abel and the latter family was based on Steinbeck’s own family, representing wisdom and moral stability. Kazan has modified the retelling to focus more on the Trask family, although the Hamilton patriarch, Samuel , also features in this seven-part reimagining.
We first meet Trask brothers Adam and Charles as boys, played off against one another by their domineering war hero father, Cyrus . Cyrus harbours a secret only revealed after his death, and which hangs over the brothers, who spend decades estranged. Once reunited, Adam and Charles are living on the family farm when Cathy Ames enters their lives.
She turns up bloody and beaten and, against Charles’ advice, Adam insists on taking her in and nursing her back to health – before falling in love with her. But Cathy is no damsel in distress. She’s a liar, a killer and a sociopath. Or she is supposed to be.
In Steinbeck’s story there’s little nuance to Cathy: she’s the embodiment of evil, a Satanic force. But Kazan has positioned this Cathy as “a fiercely independent woman”. It’s a somewhat baffling notion considering the character still adheres fairly closely to the book.
Pugh, though, is brilliant as the remorseless woman who abandons her twin babies for a life as a brutal brothel madam, leaving them to be raised by Adam’s housekeeper Lee , the embodiment of good to Cathy’s evil. The twins, Caleb and Aron , have been destined to follow a similar path to Adam and his brother – another generation of Cain and Abel.
It’s Lee, with his knowledge of the original Hebrew phrase “timshel” , who ensures this mostly bleak story ultimately has some spark of redemption. Netflix’s lengthy list of “do not reveal” moments means I can’t discuss much of the plot – IYKYK – but overall, this series is for those with patience and a love of character-driven drama and a wide shot.
The production design is gorgeous . The acting is fine. But unlike similar series embracing the classic cinematic melodrama vibe (such as
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Microsoft’s datacentres and Optus owner among firms paying zero tax on billion-dollar Australian revenuesATO database names big companies – including Microsoft subsidiary and Netflix – that pay little corporate tax but notes there could be legitimate reasons
Read more »
– Florence Pugh’s soapy Steinbeck adaptation is brilliant, compelling TVThis take on the 1952 novel is lavishly shot and full of excellent performances. It lacks the heft to be a full examination of human nature, but it’s a high-quality family saga
Read more »
October Streaming in Australia: East of Eden, Gnomes, Obsession and The Butterfly EffectNetflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video and others bring new shows and films to Australia in October, led by a seven-part East of Eden series, killer garden gnomes, a Ben Affleck kidnapping thriller and a new Marvel show.
Read more »
October Streaming Slate Features The Lowdown, East of Eden, Carrie and AnimalsHBO Max debuts the British legal anthology The Lowdown while Netflix launches East of Eden and Ben Affleck's Animals in a packed October streaming lineup.
Read more »