EDEN

ESCAPE FROM FASCISM LEADS TO STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL ON ISLAND

by PETER THOMAS BUSCH

Those who can do, stay, and those who choose not to do, leave.

Director Ron Howard tells the story of German idealists who see the end game of Nazi Germany and make the decision to leave for a survivalist’s island paradise in 1929.

The narrative flows seamlessly between three character studies as Howard takes a creative minimalist approach to individual scene composition on Floreana Island in the Galapagos.

Like the survivalists escaping the self-destructive fascist society developing in Europe, the camera angel is just so, and the edges are cropped just enough to achieve a rich aesthetic that runs throughout the film.

 A score of violines wends through the script in sync with the scenes.

Jude Law plays the original survivalist, Dr Friedrich Ritter, who leaves Nazi Germany behind to write a new philosophy for what will come after an era of fascist chaos. Ritter’s need for publicity begins to erode his need for isolation as two groups of survivalist arrive off the ships that pass by every once in a while.

Ritter is ultimately a follower of philosopher Friedrich Neitzsche, who wants to build on the philosopher’s decision that God is dead and that humanity is all alone to survive.

Vanessa Kirby plays Dore Strauch, Ritter’s unmarried partner who shares the same values, but also chooses isolation in nature to overcome a debilitating disease.

Sydney Sweeney as Margret Wittner, and Daniel Bruhl as Heinz Wittmer, play the first family to arrive with the intention of joining Ritter’s colony. Ritter though insists on isolation so he can continue writing his new philosophy.

The Wittners get minimal help and are purposely given flawed instructions, in the wrong direction, on how to survive as neighbours.

Ana de Armas arrives with trusted aides as the Baroness. While the Wittners at least share the same world view about surviving on the island as Dr. Ritter, the Baroness wants to turn the writings of Ritter into a tourist attraction by building a luxurious hotel for millionaires.

The script quickly gets into the philosophical differences of the three camps. And the independent stories eventually begin to collide with each other.

Howard takes the opportunity of an increasingly intertwining narrative to delve deeper into the character studies. Eventually the true character of humanity in nature begins to reveal itself.

Casting does a remarkable job by bringing together talented actors for distinct character studies. These characters are ultimately in competition with each other for survival, which creates the tone and atmosphere for a compelling film.

Eden is streaming on Prime Video.