The East is currently tracking as one of my favorite films of the year. The thriller centers on a young woman who takes an undercover assignment as a corporate spy, trying to infiltrate an anarchist collective known as The East. I'm not the only one who likes the movie: 75% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes are giving the thriller a "fresh" rating. Why is it so great?
1. Brit Marling. She's completely compelling in the role, especially because it requires her to act without the help of dialogue. She's often in the position of saying one thing while thinking another in her head, which really shows off her talents as an actor. In her Village Voice review, critic Amy Nicholson muses "I'd love to see Marling play Bond," a reflection of how easily she plays self-assured.
What's even more interesting is that Marling used to work for Goldman Sachs, the type of corporation that would be considered the enemy by the anarchist collective she infiltrates in the movie. Marling co-wrote the story with Zal Batmanglij, who also directs, and the project was inspired by the months they spent living like freegans and hanging out with anarchists.
2. It's infused with an Occupy Wall Street flavor. A number of movies have tried to take advantage of the recession and its aftermath, from Margin Call, which received an Oscar nomination for its screenplay, to the revenge-filled, pulpy failure Assault on Wall Street. The East doesn't reference any specific current events, but it taps into the feelings of injustice and anger over the lack of accountability present in corporations. It's all the more relevant for taking this more oblique approach.
3. Low-budget feel, high-budget thrills. The East needed to be released through an indie distributor--given its message, it would feel disingenuous otherwise. (Of course, Fox Searchlight and Fox News are just two different branches of the same parent company). But this movie has even more muscle behind it, with Ridley Scott among its producers. Scott's movies (Black Hawk Down, Prometheus) often hinge on suspense, though they tend to prize action over interpersonal drama. However, he's also the one who made Sigourney Weaver the lead in Alien, one of the most prized female action heroes of all time. The thrills in The East have a polish to them that suggests the hand of someone like Scott, and it's interesting to see the mix of an indie sensibilities with the production power of a Hollywood legend.
The East comes out on Friday, joining a roster of excellent specialty releases. It looks like it's going to be a great summer for indies.
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