One can only imagine that the movie Eden will spend the later months of 2012 gaining great traction among viewers. This movie grabs the viewer and doesn't let go as the true story of Chong Kim is brought to the screen. Chong Kim was kidnapped for simply doing what any curious teen might do in a momentary lapse of reason: go to a bar and leave with a stranger. What happens next is absolutely harrowing. Kidnapped Chong becomes "Eden" and is forced into prostitution in a western states prostitution ring with international connections to Dubai.
Though seemingly in the middle of a nowhere desert, the ring's "prison" is nearby the Las Vegas area. These felons have some kind of impunity that seems absurd in the United States. This is no small part due to a Federal Marshall who is running the show for whoever the puppet-masters are. The ring seems to have both a degree of sophistication and a kind of sloppiness making it hard to fathom the fact they have been operating for years enslaving very young girls, killing those who either cause trouble or are no longer useful, and well as murdering potential threats including officers of the law. It easily seems sensational that it is occurring as such in the USA, but we are assured it is, in fact, true as witnessed and lived by Chong Kim.
While Eden has a very indie feel it never seems to be hampered by what is, probably, a modest budget. The cast is led by an outstanding performance by Jamie Chung playing Chong Kim. Seasoned veteran Beau Bridges plays Federal Marshall Bob Gault quite well as man who believes he is untouchable even as he creates his own downfall. The only role that seems out of place is that of number-one Gault underling Matt O'Leary as Vaughn. He is a train-wreck of a person whose drug use and reckless nature doesn't fit in the role of a business-like crime boss. You know with this character calling the shots for the higher-ups there is going to be a fall. That's exactly what happens too when Eden plays out her only chance to survive by gaining his trust and, seemingly, working with Vaughn; an idea that could have easily resulted in her death with one wrong move.
Eden moves slowly and deliberately with nary a break in the tenseness it conveys. Director/writer Megan Griffiths obviously is quite talented even though she only has a couple of sole director credits thus far. This movie holds the viewer with lurking doom until the gratifying ending. A modest movie of a child's horrific story that you might think could never happen in America. All the more reason you should see, recommended.
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