Review: ‘Eden’ a Stark Look at Homelessness, Unemployment, and Survival in Ireland

I recently had the opportunity to watch this lovely indie called “Eden,” from Irish filmmaker Robbie Walsh, which tackles the very real problem of unemployment in recession-hit Dublin.

The movie opens on an empty playground, focusing on one man coughing violently. His name is Adam and he will be our protagonist, walking us through his life, putting us in his tattered shoes and gloves as a man who has lost everything due to recession, is unemployed and homeless. 

There is debris strewn around him as he walks aimlessly, and this imagery runs parallel to how his life has fallen apart due to the financial crisis hitting him hard. He occasionally stops and lets out lonely, angsty howls; and one scene that stood out in particular for me is when he finds himself muffled by a dog muzzle, leaving his voice unheard. He often finds solace in the small things like playing with a stray dog or chest-thumping at his own football skills. He is also constantly bothered by flashbacks but is constantly moving and trying to find happiness—much like his stray counterpart (the dog), blaming his lack of happiness on the lack of a wagging tail rather than on recession.

“Eden” also highlights how humans will never free themselves of making up hierarchical systems, whether it is the hierarchical system of the rich and poor, or even hierarchy among the homeless themselves—with one scene showcasing how the beggars with knives rule the roost on the streets and snatch spots from Adam, who’s only looking for places to peacefully rest his feet. It also highlights how most fortunate people group all those who are less fortunate than them into the ‘non-existent/invisibles’ category, refuse to take notice of them, and label them as robbers—even though Adam is the furthest from being a psychotic criminal. He is kind and helpful to everyone despite his rugged demeanor. He is always prepared, whether it’s dealing with the cold weather or the cold shoulders of the more privileged people he encounters—and those who could be least bothered to take any notice of him. 

And this is just one of the reasons I empathized with his character in particular. Although it starts out as a solo journey, it eventually begins to involve other people from every rung of the hierarchy, some who thrive without even a college education and others who are qualified but still trying hard to eke out a living. The supporting cast does a naturalistic job of playing all these minor characters who make a major impact on Adam’s lonely life: some in a positive manner, and others rather negatively.

The movie opts for a grey colour palette, which emphasizes the dark, dull, listless atmosphere. I also loved the occasional out-of-focus cinematography that contributed to the raw feel of this slice-of-life movie. It also has a soothing soundtrack, performed by Keywest.

Among the performances, Johnny Elliott is spell-binding as Adam. One scene that cemented his place as an actor to watch out for is when you can hear—as well as pick up on—even the slightest disappointment in his voice and expressions in the initial scenes when he’s playing fetch with the stray dog whom he doesn’t wish to see leave his side. I love his interactions with everyone, whether he’s exchanging dialogue with other characters or even merely conversing without saying much. Every interaction carries the story of Adam forward. 

The dialogue too was a winner for me. It is very heartbreaking, especially to hear Adam equate himself to feeling like a stray dog himself, especially in the wake of a financial crisis that’s snatched everything away from him. There are bittersweet moments when viewers catch a glimpse of Adam finding happiness or even receiving a sliver of kindness from his fellow humans— and the theme of not being wanted by others is explored as well.

In the end, the main message behind “Eden” is that everyone needs to do what they must in order to be happy or at least to survive, from the homeless to the hookers. 

“Eden” has won numerous awards at festivals, such as ‘Official Selection at Cork Reel Film Festival and ‘Winner’ at LA Movie Awards. You can watch “Eden” on Amazon Prime and FlixFling. Click below to view the film’s trailer.