Eden Review

This is a first attempt at writing a film review of my own, it is on the 2008 film 'Eden'.

Eden is a return to the kitchen sink realism that has been so easily dismissed in the film world of late. Consigned to lifeless or supposedly 'comic' portrayals such as 'Coronation Street' or 'Shameless' on television. Unlike these mediocre and unrealistic portrayals of real life, 'Eden' is a genuine and incredibly heart-wrenching masterpiece. It leaves a bruise on the heart that will ache for days after you see it.

Eden is a 2008 Irish film directed by Declan Recks, his first time directing a feature film, and it was adapted by Eugene O'Brien, from his own stage play.

Aidan Kelly and Eileen Walsh star as a married-with-two-kids couple who are learning that nearly ten years of marriage can be a long, and difficult affair. They are approaching their ten year anniversary, in the small unknown Irish village they live in, and in an attempt to breathe new vigor into their ailing marriage they agree to go out like they did when they were young.

In their little village, everyone knows everyone, as well as each other's secrets and business. The film deals incredibly well with issues such as the problems of social inbreeding that can occur within small villages like this one. Billy (Kelly) is having problems with among many other things, his sex life, and puts a good deal of blame on Breeda's (Walsh) shoulders. In turn this leads to Breeda feeling inadequate and unattractive, something which convinces her to join a local weight loss group. Breeda, in a moment of vulnerability, confides her problems to the local weight-watchers leader, and they are inevitably and eventually shared with the town.

A lot of the struggles the couple deal with are synonymous with peoples fears and problems of being and becoming middle aged. The biggest threat to the couple comes in the form of Imelda, a young attractive local girl, who obliviously becomes the imagined solution to Billy's...problem. What follows is the most beautiful and haunting account of if a couple can come together, and despite their problems make their marriage work.

What makes this film so haunting is it's honesty. There's no car explosions, or angry bald men yelling at a man named 'Ricky' in a horribly unrealistic Laaandan accent, or stepped on women throwing irons at their angry husbands. In the most engaging way possible the film forsakes what most would dub 'conventional drama' and takes a thoroughly modest and open approach to what are quite common and painful problems for many people.

I cannot express the effect this film had on me. With all of your heart you want it to work, for them to overcome their problems, the temptations, the guilt and blame. And the film's end will leave a profound, and lasting mark on your heart.