Eden

I realize this subject carries gravitas, and I also realize that the intentions behind the film are good, but this is presented as a dramatic piece and not a documentary, so, to speak of it only in terms of the merits of its subject matter is not particularly helpful if the object of a review is to also address film-craft. Understandably, this movie deals with "white-slavery" and is not purporting to be about inner city black teen prostitution, but I couldn't help notice that the film makers walk an ambiguous aesthetic line when it comes to portraying exceedingly beautiful girls in detention whose hair and makeup is rather inexplicably ready for prime-time whenever the camera cuts to a close-up to show them rolling out of bed in their underwear. No effort is given to show the day to day crafting of that beauty image if that is supposed to be the point; rather, we are left to wonder how much of our own voyeuristic sentiments are being teased by this somewhat glamorous dramatization. Characters are not well defined in this film and their dialogs are piling up the missed opportunities to deepen our understanding of their merging predicaments. Though much attention seems to be given to the protagonist, little is in fact discovered about her transformation. The "Eden" script often feels like it resulted from a weekend course in screen writing, after the author learned to plug-up emotional holes with convenient tricks, like losing a high school ring that is supposed to symbolize the link to family, etc. The henchmen and orderlies in the "prison facility" where she is held are cut out of cardboard and resemble the comical beefy sidekicks in low brow action flicks. It is wholly unclear what they get out of this deal, or why they stay at all. If indeed their motives and rewards are sexual, we would never know it, because the picture dances around its main horror-show: forced sex. I know that in America, sex is and will always be a problem to be skirted, however, since this is a film about forced prostitution, and it is implied that the main character might be a virgin at the onset of her ordeal, it boggles the mind that the story is presented so as to avoid direct confrontation with its own most pressing crisis: violence and rape. Understandably, portraying those in the correct measures is challenging but that is precisely what determines the measure of quality, and craft, in a film which is supposed to tackle such a hard and mature subject - on the other hand, it seems inconceivable to me to deal with sex-trafficking as a dramatic piece by prudishly dancing around the reality (I am tempted to write Reality with a capital "R") of sex being forced on young women as their lives are being destroyed. Whitewashing is the word that comes to mind. Even if we agree that some things cannot be shown, Eden's own dialog persistently avoids confrontation with her own sexual experience and discovery. Clearly, good intentions went into this picture, and actors Jamie Chung, Bo Bridges, and Matt O'Leary give it their best shot, despite having little to work with most of the time; still, after viewing the movie, I listened to a 20 minute pod-cast interview of Chong Kim, the woman whose ordeal this film purports to be based on, and discovered that her (real) story is in effect a much stronger dramatic piece. Incidentally, when I first watched the movie Taxi Driver in the 70s, I was still a teenager, and the portrayal of the fictional teen prostitute played by Jodi Foster affected me deeply - one reason is that her character's plight is distinct, and strong. She is not the protagonist in the film, but so much was accomplished with so little, because the picture as a whole was so well crafted that its impact reverberates on and on. Film is craft.

I watch a LOT of movies so I'm used to formula, which all too often is what is relied on these days. I was therefore pleasantly surprised by Eden because it's not in the least predictable, and I can only imagine that's because its based on a true story. I don't know how MUCH of it is true but you can definitely see that elements are not the product of a script-writer's imagination.

Why? Because they are simply too sickening to be made up. I won't discuss the plot elements, other than to say it's about kidnapping young women to sell them into a life of sex slavery. Yeah, fun stuff! That said, it doesn't rub your face in the gruesome details of what the girls are forced to do, but rather focuses on the experience of one person, the Eden of the title, as she works to free herself from a seemingly unwinnable situation.

Played by Jamie Chung, at first she seems to be an almost unbelievably naive and trusting person but gradually her gritty determination is revealed as she turns the tables on her kidnappers. This part is the most satisfying because it's not far-fetched or predictable. The characters are all well-played, with a rare turn by Beau Bridges as a completely evil SOB.

Jamie Chung is very believable in a demanding role that requires her to be in every scene, and plays it very low-key throughout, using her magnetic eyes to great effect to express what's going through her mind. Matt O'Leary also does very well in a supporting role.

This is a very important film and needs to be seen as widely as possible. I have a teenage daughter and I want her to watch it. As a cautionary tale, it does a terrific job. Far more horrifying than any horror film.

Every now and then I see a movie that just hits the spot. This is one of those movies.

I watch a lot of movies on DVD because they often never make it to the theater here in Australia. One of the good things about doing that is you can stop and start it anytime you like. This is one of those movies that I did not stop watching from start to finish.

While it is a very simple movie with very little in the way of action or graphic violence it is still a very disturbing and haunting movie that will stay with you for a long time after you have finished watching it.

Jamie Chung as Eden was perfect and she held my attention throughout. Matt O'Leary as the cool and hardened Vaughan was also very believable. The rest of the cast also did an excellent job and made the movie what it was.

Don't watch this movie if you have a weak stomach. Even though there isn't much over the top violence, just the thought of what is going on could turn your stomach.

The fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more heart wrenching.

8 out of 10 for me.

The theme of the movie is very heavy. Mostly that theme is being handled in documentaries and not feature movies like this one here. And even if, it mostly handles it generally, as opposed to here, where you have the main focus on our main character. A sort of revelation and a great role to play, for an actress who's in quite a lot of movies recently (including Premium Rush and others).

Part drama, part thriller it obviously isn't aimed to be entertainment in a sense other movies are. But if you can handle the tough subject and if it's something you can watch, you will be rewarded with a really good movie, that is acted great throughout and has something to say (not only for itself, but in general).

Saw this movie at SIFF and STILL can't stop thinking about it. Script, direction, acting, and cinematography are all impeccable. The three leads are perfectly cast. Matt is desperate, hardened, and yet strangely likable. Jamie does a fantastic job as well in a role that requires serious vulnerability and emotional depth. Megan Griffith's directing is superb and the style and tone of the overall film is spot on. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because the story is so captivating and hard to believe. I'm dying for this film to hit theaters, because it is so incredibly well done. I want to read the memoir it's based off of after seeing the lengths this girl went to to escape from captivity. Thank you for tackling this story and subject matter!