Close to Eden
A farmer and his wife live in a rural part of Inner Mongolia with their three children. Chinese population control policies prevent them from having any more. The farmer sets out for the nearest town to obtain birth control. He comes upon a Russian truck driver who has ended up in a lake. The farmer takes the man back to his farm, and after initially being appalled, the Russian becomes enchanted with the peaceful life of the countryside and decides to stay. But his presence presages big changes for the peasants.
Insights
Plot Summary
A successful children's book author's seemingly idyllic life is shattered when her teenage daughter becomes involved with a charismatic and dangerous cult leader. As the mother tries to free her daughter from the group's influence, she uncovers a sinister truth about the organization and its leader.
Critical Reception
Close to Eden was a made-for-television movie that garnered moderate attention upon its release, primarily for its dramatic subject matter and performances. While it touched upon themes of cults and manipulation, it received a generally lukewarm reception from critics, who often found the plot predictable and the characters underdeveloped, though some praised the performances.
What Reviewers Say
- The film effectively explores the dangers of cults and manipulation.
- Performances, particularly from the lead, were noted as a strong point.
- The plot was sometimes criticized for being predictable and lacking depth.
Google audience: Audience reception for Close to Eden is not widely available. However, similar made-for-TV dramas of this era often appealed to viewers interested in topical social issues presented in an accessible, dramatic format.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the novel of the same name by Victoria Principal's husband at the time, Christopher Rich.
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