Change Your Image
Castus01
Reviews
Eden (2014)
Exciting backdrops but ultimately dull
Eden is a film with some great assets. It has plentiful depictions of the 1990s house music and clubbing scene in a way that feels more realistic than the typical film might handle. It also undoubtedly has an excellent soundtrack and has managed to even license Daft Punk's music which could not have been an easy feat for the filmmakers.
Its main problem is that these captivating backgrounds never have anything too exciting happening in their foregrounds. The dominant plot is one of a man who sacrifices much financial and personal development in exchange for attempting to live out his dream as a DJ, and while on paper this conflict sounds great its execution was handled dully. Subpar dialogue writing and acting, in particular with the lead character, mars the movie and fails to pull us in. Few if any of the scenes in between the clubbing make us feel emotionally invested into what is happening. While not all films need a conspicuous crescendo, the lack of one in Eden also further adds to its tedious foreground which after the final scene leaves us with an impression of having watched an empty drama.
The Spy (2019)
Engaging and strongly paced, but missing performance
Strong directing, writing, and pacing makes this a very engaging show. It's commendable that the writing has closely mirrored the historical facts surrounding Eli Cohen, as what he experienced is entertaining enough without the need for embellishment. The series was also edited with precision - there are very few scenes that feel irrelevant or seem like filler material. While the production values are not extravagant, the show's depictions of a handful of different locales are definitely convincing.
Despite this, the cast of The Spy lack truly outstanding performances that would elevate the show to a higher level. While Sasha Baron Cohen is certainly competent here playing a serious role as opposed to his usual comedic filmography, there aren't too many scenes where we feel truly wowed by him. The same is true for all other characters, as there seemingly isn't a single special performance by a supporting character. Some of the scenes are also just plain underwhelming, and the cast doesn't seem to be skilled enough to deliver sufficient emotion in scenes where it is deeply needed.