The East: Blu-ray Review
The Movie:
A successful operative for an elite private intelligence firm is tasked with infiltrating an anarchist group known for executing covert attacks upon major corporations. However, she finds her priorities changing as she befriends the members and begins to develop romantic feelings for its charismatic leader.
This is one of those films that makes you look at the world in a different light. This thriller takes a look at environmental crimes committed by large companies or pharmaceutical corporations and the repercussions of of an undercover agent going too far undercover. Zal Batmanglij has created a fantastic piece that makes you really think about some of the corruption that goes down with some of the bigger businesses. I could see how The East had a point about trying to right the wrongs they had caused but the retaliation that they use (although clever) is practically terrorism. It’s somewhat amusing because in the middle of all of this happening there you are conflicted about how to truly feel because on one hand these companies are dumping chemicals or developing dangerous medicines and on the other hand you have a group of people willing to do almost anything to prove a point. The part of the film that I did find rather interesting was the way The East were unified as a solid group when it came to EVERYTHING even feeding each other while tied up in straitjackets (you have to see it to get the whole picture of what I’m talking about). Brit Marling pulls double duty as the starring actress as well as one of the screenwriters of the film. Marling’s character is one that gets herself in a sticky situation and you can’t help but be on the edge of your seat the whole way and hoping she doesn’t get found out. Ellen Page is one of those actresses that immerses herself 100% in her roles and commits. She did exactly that here but with a cute, innocent way of doing it. Alexander Skarsgård pulled off a performance that can only described as “calmly twisted”. His easy going demeanor is creepy for the simple fact that you know behind that is a man that has an evil intent in mind. The things you read or see about cult leaders pretty much sums up his character. If you’re the slightest bit curious about this film then I recommend checking it out. You’ll walk away happy that you did.
Special Features:
Examining The Moral Gray – A look at how there is a fine line between good and bad between Sarah and The East.
Cause And Effect: The Movement Of The East – This feature talks about how companies and corporations often do things that can influence the world around them.
Two Brothers: Collaboration – The Batmanglij brothers talk about how it was like to work together on the film.
The East Exposed: The Story – A brief look at the activist group in the film and what their mindset is.
Off The Grid: Creating The East – Batmanglij and Marling talk about how their traveling in 2009 inspired them to create The East based on activist groups they met while backpacking.
Casting The East – A look at pulling together the great cast that felt passionate about the film and its premise.
Deleted Scenes – A pretty decent group of scenes that could’ve added just a tiny bit more to the film including an interesting alternate ending. They could’ve trimmed off the black screen portion where the credits would’ve gone though.
