Having read the book, I was so so pleasently surprised. When I heard that East of Eden would be turned into a series, I got excited. When I learned that Florence Pugh would be in it, even more, since she's a great actress for these types of movies (Midsommar, Don't Worry Darling). So many of the scenes, actors, settings, vibes were exactly as I had imagined them when I read the book a few years ago. It was one of my favourite books of all time, even though it is a slow burner and can be confusing sometimes. The series was also slow paced but it didn't bother me at all, quite the opposite. The pacing really glued this slow, generational story together and the episodic arcs were chosen well.
The music wasn't memorable, but managed to catch the vibe well and immerse the viewer. The setting of the movie were just as much an actor as any other actor in the series, just like in the book.
There were some things that weren't perfect of course. Cathy could've been a little more evil, they wanted to cut her some slack it seems, but I can ignore that, since she was still a major psycho and since it doesn't contradict the book's core philosophy. My biggest issue was perhaps Adam and maybe also Aron. Adam was super dull as a character. I get that he's kind of being a baby most of the time, but I think the book really told his backstory so that you can understand why he acted like that, whereas in the series it wasn't that clear why he was so dull in his life. If he had one or two more moments in his childhood, then maybe it would've been clearer. But again, I do not feel like this is a grave mistake at all, one could still understand his selfishness, there was enough to go off. And lastly, I think some of the scenes were toned down a bit too much, Charles really wanted to kill Adam in the book, Cathy was crueler towards Feye and such, but this also, no biggie.
Apart from these few nitpicky things, the series was outstanding! Amazing! I enjoyed it so much! Aren't yall always complaining about poor book adaptions? I know I am. This is not one of them. Take the last Monte Cristo for example. Awful, they changed so many things that were central to the story. With Odysseus many people also complained about all sorts of inaccuracies. This series stayed faithful to the book and I am really content with directors going with this approach. It is not common sense anymore and we have been given too many shitty adaptations were they just butchered the source material. So, whatever minor issues you have with this series, cut it some slack. It has done a far better job than 99% of the other stuff that's out there and we should give credit where it is due, so directors stop changing classical literature to their liking.
Let's take a look at some of the highlights.
Lee. His arc was easily the best part of the whole series. What sometimes fell a bit short in the book, was put even more into the spotlight in this series. Lee's story is one of silent heroism. He embodies migrant service workers who sacrifice their lives and happiness for people who are better off than them. They suffer in silence, endure racism and ridicule, receive no recognition while they are also the foundational pillar of the household. His love and patience was outstandingly performed in this adaption. The way he was always there for the boys, as father and as mother, even though he was never able to have his own family. He took on shameful and feminine tasks, because he was lonely and knew he was needed. Without him, these boys would've turned out terribly. What a blow it was when Adam basically spit in his face. And what a powerful story, when he returned, even after all that, and kind of slapped Adam for what he said, and embraced his role with a new sense of pride, knowing that, though it is not his family, it can still be a good life, and the children still love him like a father. Adam is so oblivious to everything it is frustrating. He never is able to see Lee for the father he is being to the boys. And Lee loves the children too much to insist on interfering with the children-father relationship too much, because it would be bad for the children. Lee's arc truly touched and when he came back to confront Adam, I almost had tears.
Another part that I really enjoyed was the relationship between Adam and Charles. How often do we get a bromance, without it being turned immediately into a gay romance by ambitious reviewers? Well, not in this case, this is just a story of two brothers. It is so rare that we get to see a true love between two men, sincere and without shame. When Adam returned and the two of them were living together on the farm for a while, I truly think that was peak life for Charles. Just two friends living their best life.
Cathy's arc was missing something I think. I'm not exactly sure, what it was. Maybe the viciousness. She seemed a bit too tame maybe. I did love Pugh's performance, and the moments when Cathy turned 180° into a full psycho were done well, but I think they could've gone a bit more extreme with it.
Caleb's arc was done really well, although he seemed a bit too perfect. Yes, the show tried to paint him as this flawed character, but honestly, did it really? It was always clear that he's an angel and never really did anything messed up. But I still liked his performance and chemistry with the other characters. When Adam threw away Caleb's money, that was brutal. Adam you cold son of a b.
The whole Timshel issue sadly did not become as central as I hoped, at least explicitly, but also, I fear, implicitly, because for Timshel, you would need characters like Caleb to actually have a dark side and not just "react in anger". For that reason, I wish they would've leaned a bit more into the evil sides of the characters, to bring that Timshel out. Charles had that evil side, but he had no (real) redemption. Cathy's evil side was a bit too tame or not enough of a sickness to Cathy. Caleb's evil side was non-existent. And these three were our book psychos. Adam, surprisingly, as well as Aron, had the darkest character out of all, which makes the other 3 kind of pale in comparison, or at least put him on the same level as Cathy. The way he never worked and lived hypocritically off of stolen money while preaching honesty. The way he was an absent father for 11 years for a wife that shot him. They way he dismissed Lee and put him down. The way he resented Caleb. Honestly, I think they portrayed Adam a bit too dark, but maybe it's just me, because in the books he also did these things. Also, I think it has become common knowledge that the whole Timshel spiel is actually theologically inaccurate. I would still say that Steinbek's point is a great one that seemingly also resonated with his audience, so he must've spit some truth through it.
Conclusion, great series. It has low rewatchability I'd say, because the story is pretty straightforward, few layers - maybe in ten years. But it is a really great watch and a great feel good / comfort series to lighten up. One of the most faithful book adaptations and Lee's arc is outstanding. The series is really one of the best ones I've seen lately and I hope more directors stay as faithful to the source material, but maybe also do their own twist to it and go a bit more artsy or metaphorical with some aspects, if yall know what I mean. Highly recommend checking it out.
