Eden is synonymous with paradise. But what is paradise? In the film Eden, from director Ron Howard and screenwriter Noah Pink, when the Wittmer family ((Margret (played by Sydney Sweeney), Heinz (played by Daniel Brühl), and Harry (played by Jonathan Tittel)) arrive on Floreana, the captain of the boat transporting them mockingly addresses Margret’s apprehension with a joke about her expecting paradise. However, paradise is in the eyes of the beholder. As a child, one of the movies I watched on repeat was Swiss Family Robinson, and I’m constantly looking at places that built houses in trees that rival theirs. So, the idea of settling on the island does have a paradise aspect for me. However, paradise does come with sacrifice, and for the Wittmers settling in Floreana, meant essentially being cut off from the world outside of news carried on the occasional passing boat.
When the Wittmers arrive in Floreana, the only other inhabitants on the island are Dore Strauch (played by Vanessa Kirby) and Dr. Friedrich Ritter (played by Jude Law). They were drawn to the island by letters Dr. Ritter wrote about his time there, believing that it would be restorative for their son, who they could not afford to put into treatment in Germany. However, for Friedrich and Dore their paradise is broken by the arrival of the Wittmers, because for them, hell is other people. However, they assume the Wittmers will be easy enough to scare off. Only, the Wittmers are not the only new arrivals disturbing their peace.
The Baroness (played by Ana de Armas) also arrives on the island, along with her entourage. The Baroness is a scenery-chewing part that Ana de Armas sinks her teeth into – and this is not a film that lacks scenery. Like the Ritter and Strauch, The Baroness’ actions early on make it clear she also has no desire to share the island.
But despite the intentions laid early amongst these characters, the conflict progresses slowly. Like watching nature take its natural course with the decomposition of wildlife on the island marking the passage of time, the inches that move the characters towards their ends is part of the enjoyment. This might bother some, those anxious for the action to progress faster, but this pace feels very intentional and helps create a deeper sense of unease as the film progresses.
The film is a drama, but it is filled with a lot of humour, and Vanessa Kirby continues to prove that she can say a lot with a look so even though she likely has the least amount of screen time and dialogue of the female characters, her presence is as fully realized.
I have traveled to the Galapagos, and I was vaguely familiar with the story of these people as it was documented in a visitor center. This film brought that vague story to life and gave it meaning. Now, according to the post-script, there were two published records of the events on Floreana, and it sounds like they probably contradict each other. Other than that people died, the rest can be decided to be up for interpretation, because everyone telling the story would have a reason to paint themselves in a certain light. The version of events presented in Eden is one perspective or version of events, and they shine an interesting light on humanity and morality, good and evil, and the lengths people will go to have paradise all to themselves.
Eden had its World Premiere at the 49th annual Toronto International Film Festival in the Gala Presentations.
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