Part two of “East of Eden and Far From East of Eden”
Courtesy of The Literary Snob

And then there is the other.

The thing that most mystifies me about this movie is that Steinbeck was alive when it came out. That he approved it. I am not quite to the point where I believe John Steinbeck was a god, so I am aware that money may have been the chief rational behind supporting this movie, but come on, demand a little artistic integrity.

Yet, the masses have spoken. This is the film of choice. Why? Perhaps it is because James Dean gives a memorable, albeit exaggerated and motiveless, performance as Cal Trask. I found his acting to be over the top, but at least his character somewhat resembled the novel’s namesake.

Aside from Cal, was any one else recognizable? When did Adam become such a prude? Who was that weak motherly woman playing the role of Cathy? Why was Abra not so motherly? Where the hell was Lee? How did this film successfully commandeer the name East of Eden?

This version only covers the last quarter of the novel—essentially the climax. It ignores the development needed to accurately understand these characters and, in doing so, fails to have a point.

Everything that is good and right in me demanded I not finish this film. But I had hope that it would improve. It didn’t. After butchering the whole book, the ending was at least good for the film. God-awful in comparison to the novel’s Timshel, but nonetheless the best way to walk away of this car wreck on the highway of motion pictures.

This film might have been at least bearable if it had a different name, and if its primary characters were not named Adam, Cal, Aron, Abra, and Kate. But in keeping these elements, this film has set up a comparison. And, with its insurmountable disadvantages, it fails miserably.