East of Eden
1955
****
Director: Elia Kazan
Cast: Julie Harris, James Dean, Raymond Massey, Burl Ives, Richard Davalos, Jo Van Fleet
This loose adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel tells a story of a farmer and his two sons, Cal and Aron, the first of whom is desperate to earn his father's approval. The drama is gripping and the Technicolor image looks stunning. James Dean as Cal is impressive in his first major film performance. Jo Van Fleet, who plays the boy's estranged mother, won an Academy Award.
