Marco Perego makes his directorial debut with 2022’s The Absence of Eden, crafting a dual narrative examining life along the divides. On one side lies Esmee, a dancer fleeing Mexico for new worlds after a deadly encounter. Zoe Saldana breathes soul into Esmee, showing her daily fight for survival. Meanwhile Shipp dons the uniform, joining the immigration patrol as a rookie. Yet Garrett Hedlund hints this lawman sees people, not paperwork. Their paths remain separate, though their stories intertwine.
This tale tells of walls both seen and unseen. Saldana escapes harrowing dangers in her northbound quest, though finds Little help once “safe.” Hedlund sees the humanity his partner misses, despite the hardened exterior required on the job. Their world sees fear breed fear, with lives caught in the crossfire. Still glimpses of hope emerge, like the unlikely bond that develops between these strangers on opposite sides of the wire.
While ambitious in scope, the script strains to weave its threads into a cohesive whole. Uneven character arcs and rushed resolutions diminish impact. Yet through swirling dust and flickering flames, the cast shines a light, reminding that whatever views one holds, we all cling to similar dreams. Beyond barriers of birth or badge, our shared humanity remains.
The Wider World Within
This film shares two intertwining tales, though each character’s inner world remained in need of deeper exploration. Esmee fled cartel violence, determined to deliver Alma to safety’s shore. Her grace under pressure and maternal bond with the girl shone through, even amid hardship’s bleakest hours. Yet what shaped her true desires, and how her past trauma lingered, remained shadows the script left unaddressed.
Similarly, Shipp donned a difficult duty’s duty, boundaries blurred by compassion and care for those deemed “other.” His isolation and purposelessness cried out for rooting, as does the source of his calm in chaos. Yadira hinted at shades beyond her pages, a life with experiences left for imagination to fill. More for these souls seemed waiting to emerge, had the film dug past surface details to reveal the hearts within.
Dobbins too held layers left to ponder. What drove his wrath, and could understanding have tempered its tone? Through another’s eyes, may we have seen the world remade, each person portrayed with equal measure of mercy? Each character stood on wider worlds the script left little room to explore, their humanity truncated where depth may have deepened empathy’s embrace.
Still, through struggles seen, the film stirred thought that beyond borders drawn, our shared dreams endure. How might their tales have strengthened further still, had the director delved with care to uncover what lay beneath the skin, and grant to each a fuller soul this narrow stage denied? The screen left room for pondering all it left unsaid, and all it might yet give, in hands of artists helmed by mercy’s guiding light.
Guiding Light or Hazy Glare?
This film draws you in with visuals that feel both vividly real and otherworldly all at once. Sweeping shots of the desert landscape turn ordinary places into something mystical and haunting. Within this fascinating setting, moments really shine that lay bare the characters’ emotions in unique ways.
You sense the director has a keen eye for memorable imagery. Scenes saying so much without words, through little gestures or facial expressions alone, keep you pondering long after. His background in other art forms shows in these techniques. At their best, they bring you closer to understanding each person’s deeper struggles.
Where the imagery works as a visual metaphor, it deepens reflection on the film’s timely themes. Symbols of stars and faith hint at the persevering human spirit seeking light to guide the way, even in darkness. But not each image lands with the same clarity of meaning. More context could have eased interpretation and kept viewers fully engaged throughout the experience.
While crafting an intriguing visual tapestry, the director occasionally loses some in the lush imagery’s haze. Narrative focus blurs as the lines between past and present become indistinct at certain points. Character details also stay wispy where weightier development may have let their humanity emerge with more heartfelt force.
By experimenting boldly, this debut shows an ambitious spirit and real artistic flair. But the most effective storytellers blend visual artistry with narrative art so seamlessly, you feel more transported within the world than distanced by its embellishments.
For all its importance, this story still had room to reach and resonate on a deeper level with some judicious choices around crafting the audience’s perspective through lens of empathy first, before mystery or metaphor. Overall though, the gorgeous cinematography sparks thought and keeps the pressing issues at its heart meaningful long after the closing scene fades into artistic lights that still shine, however hazy at times.
Facing the Inhumanity
This film set out to share immigrants’ humanity in the face of immense hardship. Esme’s story resonated strongest by showing her determination to protect another in danger, even at great personal risk. Though audience sympathies lied with her plight, rounding characters into simplicity did disservice.
Portrayals of those upholding law seemed skewed one-sided. While some jobs test ethics daily, broad brushing disregarded society’s need for order. A few bad moments don’t negate others’ efforts to serve compassionately. Nuance was lacking, missing a chance at greater understanding between all impacted by this issue.
Overall the goal remained timely – raising awareness of dire circumstances forcing many to flee their homes. But presentations left some wondering if attention given different perspectives could have propelled discussion forward rather than reinforcing divisions. Effective change comes through open-minded dialogue, not accusations alone.
Complex challenges in immigration policy warrant reflection from multiple angles. Stories highlighting individual struggles rightly tug our humanity. Yet whole pictures evolve by acknowledging reality contains shades beyond black and white. With care and insight, may we recognize our shared hopes for justice and dignity overdrawn fears that seek to divide. By facing inhumanity together, perhaps new light emerges.
Fulfilling Complex Roles
This film brought some really powerful acting at the fore. Zoe Saldana in particular threw herself fully into her character Esmee, conveying a wide range of emotions from despair to defiance through subtle expressions and body language alone at times. You truly felt for what this woman endured every step of her journey. Her ability to make you empathize so deeply with Esmee’s plight is a testament to Saldana’s skill.
Adria Arjona was another standout, especially in how she layered Yadira. On the surface a kind soul but hints of uncertainty lurking beneath, and the moment those shadows surfaced in her eyes left an impression. Both actresses grasped the complexity real people possess and respected their characters as multidimensional individuals rather than cardboard cutouts. Their bond also shone through in some scenes together, showing such connections can transcend any boundaries.
On the other hand, some supporting roles didn’t get that same level of development. Chris Coy for instance played the partner as more of a gruff caricature than fully fleshed person. While the role wasn’t massive, fleshing him out more may have offered a richer perspective on that line of difficult work rather than a narrow portrait. And a few moments felt like poking more at stereotypes than penetrating the shared humanity beneath ideological divides.
Overall the leads here delivered performances that will stay with you, taking characters who could have easily been two-dimensional and breathing life, heart and soul into them. Their ability to find understanding even in the most trying of situations and bring complexity to the fore is why they stand out as real standouts in this film.
Weaving Together Complex Threads
The Absence of Eden takes on the challenging task of interweaving multiple storylines into a cohesive whole. However, some reviewers note that bringing the different narrative threads together late in the film feels rather abrupt. By keeping the tales of Esmee and Shipp largely separate for much of the runtime, opportunities arise for each character to have their depths plumbed more fully.
Focusing singularly on Esmee’s harrowing journey from the outset could have lent her plight even greater emotional resonance. Her fears, hopes and sheer will to survive in unimaginably harsh conditions deserve centered attention. Similarly, unfolding Shipp’s inner conflict step-by-step as his work and personal life collide may have left a lasting impression.
By delaying their intersection, questions are left around what fuels each person’s motivations. Having the stories independently play out longer allows painting the human portrait behind political issues. When they finally intersect, the audience would be more invested to see challenges to preconceptions on all sides.
While commendable for tackling a complex subject, The Absence of Eden could have strengthened its narrative structure through a tighter focus. One compelling arc explored in depth often proves more impactful than fractured glimpses at intertwining lives. A deeper dive into its characters may have left a more enduring message beyond an all-too-abrupt coming together of storylines.
Delicate Balance
The Absence of Eden tackles an issue that is deeply relevant yet requires delicate handling. On one hand, the film tells human stories that help viewers understand life-changing risks faced by those crossing the border. But it also aims to humanize the opposition, demonstrating personal conflicts between duty and compassion.
Striking an even keel proves challenging, and reviews note where the movie succeeds and could strengthen its message. By focusing so heavily on a disliked ICE agent’s cruelty, nuance is lost around complex realities faced by enforcement. Similarly, shifting emphasis late to their intersecting tale undermines time spent with a courageous protagonist in Esmee.
Still, Saldana breathes vivacity into a survivor enduring unimaginable hardships. And the directors spotlight worthy intentions of promoting empathy on all sides of a debate sparking heat over light. When handling a divide inflaming tensions, maintaining perspective grows ever vital.
Does this film achieve its goal? While not perfect, it sparks reflection on how to approach others regarding immigration compassionately instead of as threats. And it reminds that behind policies are people, with fears and families like our own. An issue touching so many deserves addressing, but also open ears willing to understand unknown struggles in another’s shoes. The Absence of Eden proves a starting point for those discussions.
The Review
The Absence of Eden
While The Absence of Eden shines a light on important human stories, its aim to also humanize opposing perspectives presents challenges it does not fully meet. By proliferating stereotypes about one side and neglecting character depth on the other, nuance falls victim to narrative choices. However, directors clearly came with compassionate intent, and Saldaña delivers a performance that retains viewers' empathy. On balance, while this film has room for growth, it serves as an overall thoughtful conversation starter on one of society's most complex issues.
PROS
- Sheds light on important human stories and experiences of border crossing
- Shows courage and resilience of protagonist Esmee
- Encourages reflection and discussion on a timely issue
- Performances engage empathy, especially from Zoe Saldana
- Visuals effectively set tones
CONS
- Lacks nuance in portrayal of some characters like ICE agent
- Narrative flaws like shift in focus undermine character arcs
- Over-relies on stereotypes that reduce complexity
- Fails to develop depth for characters on “opposing” side
- Narrative imbalance prevents examination across full spectrum
