"East of Eden" is an extremely important film concerning family relationships. Even though it is set in 1917, most of my students connect with it because they see these situations occurring in their own families. The acting in the film is superb--particularly, James Dean, who portrays Cal Trask. Cal takes desperate measures in his desire for acceptance and love. What I find so interesting in the movie is the change of attitude of Cal's brother, Aron. In the beginning of the film (when Cal is not a threat), Aron accepts his brother; i.e., his statement, "I love him." On the other hand when Cal moves toward acceptance and threatens the other brother's position--that's when Aron's hatred, resentment (and probably his real self) emerges. I show it in my college classes. Students who are seeing the film for the first time (and James Dean for the first time as well)--connect with it!
Review of East of Eden
