The Absence of Eden

I think Zoe is an incredible actress. With that being said, I wish she would have skipped this film. It didn't do anything for her career. The story line seemed like it was going to be good but it was terrible! I'm so disappointed. I could have turned it off in the middle and still felt the same as I did at the end. The ending was nonexistent really. The story lacked many great opportunities it could have had to tell a real and raw depiction of the circumstances the characters were in.

Why describe the movie and the ice agent and Zoe's character working together? They didn't work together AT ALL.

I'm really bummed that I wasted my time on a movie I had high hopes for.

I didn't have too much to say about this, it just felt incredibly short. Looking at the themes and scenarios the movie explored, the movie does so only at surface level. I think the intro to Esmeralda raised the tension quite quickly, we're introduced to her in a pretty dicey scenario. It gave insight into her decision to leave. There wasn't too much I disliked about it. One specific thing was the pep talks by the coyote - like he's a good kind hearted coyote? But it wasn't something that bothered me too much. The story is alright, tragic but not particularly moving. I don't think the stuff about the grandma added much to the film, all the stories and narrations from her diary. The movie had pretty good and consistent atmosphere, a dark tone. The big issue is that it just ends out of nowhere, like I was in and out the theatre. Even the subplots end abruptly, logically but abruptly. Like Adria Arjona character feels like an important part of the movie then she's just no longer there. The conflicts the movie has are resolved pretty quickly, made the movie anticlimactic. A few twists and turns wouldn't have hurt the movie. Otherwise not bad, nothing special.

Absolutely in love with Zoe Saldana. To be honest, all the actors/actresses did a really great job in this film, but the issue isn't with the acting... the issues lie with the storyline. Things started off strong and caught my attention really quickly - An immigrant woman who is fleeing from her abuser only to come in contact with more abuse while trying to get over the border. She bonds with a young girl who gets separated from her mother and Zoe's character becomes protective over the girl. This movie had everything to be an amazing, highly recommended movie, but the lack of execution in the storyline was so disappointing! What happened? Where did they end up? Where are they now? The abrupt ending leaves you with such a long list of questions. I hate movies that leave the story unfinished or that leave the plot at the peak with no real ending which is sadly, exactly what happened in this movie. What could've been a solid 7-8 star rating plummeted to a 3-4 star rating due to the lack of ending and lack of answers.

I hope a lot more people go out and see this film and that it will be available for purchase and streaming at some point. It was beautifully shot and every frame could be a photograph of art! Zoe was amazing & in my opinion some of her best work I've ever seen, and that goes for all of the cast not a weak one in the bunch. The story is heartfelt, and only a glimpse of what people in both sides of the fence are going through with immigration and sadly, it's probably 100x's worse than anything this film will show you. It does end abruptly but doesn't bother me as it makes you think about what you just watched. I hope one day we get the true director's cut from Marco. I highly recommend this film to anyone!

1 out of 5 stars.

The Absense of Eden is a horrible thriller film about a immigrant trying to find a better life. Only to work for a shady guy. And another story of a ICE agent dating a girl who is working for the cartel.

Plot with intertwining stories. The script never resolves anything in the end. Characters are left unresolved. The story ends abruptly. The direction is dull and boring. The acting is forgettable. The characters are bland. Not much happens in the film.

It is a film that misses the opportunity for it to be emotional with what the characters are going through. Overall it is a film that is worth skipping.