This eight-hour adaptation of John Steinbeck's saga is far more
sweeping than was the 1955 film, which covered only the last 100
pages of the novel. The first part chronicles the boyhoods of Adam
and Charles Trask, their relationship with their father, and their
first encounter with the malevolent Cathy Ames. In the second part,
Cathy carries off her magnificent betrayal of both brothers and
turns her back on her infant sons. Part three is the story of the
twin boys, Cal and Aron, as history repeats itself and they suffer
the same ironies of fate as did their father and uncle before them.
Passionate moments highlight, and tender ones underscore, this excellent
presentation. Scriptwriter Richard Shapiro (Minstrel Man, Intimate
Strangers), who admits to having always wanted to be John Steinbeck,
says that for him the story was "a treasure-trove of dramatic
incidents... There are murders, suicides, fratricides, seductions
and other wonderful things for a writer to work with." The
production culminated a nine-year dream for producer Barney Rosenzweig,
who first conceived of it when he learned that Warner Bros. no longer
owned rights to the novel.
The cast includes Timothy Bottoms, Bruce Boxleitner, Sam Bottoms
and Jane Seymour, who emerges as one of the most stunning actresses
of this generation (her childbirth scene is nothing short of an
exorcism). Trivia buffs may recognize Tim Carey, the actor who played
the whorehouse bouncer in the 1955 East of Eden. When Carey learned
of the current adaptation, he asked to repeat his original role,
but since 20-plus years had passed, it was decided that he was more
suited to play the preacher. Carey's enthusiasm for the project
was so great, however, that, having completed his part he called
back to ask if he couldn't be made up to look 25 years younger so
he could double as the bouncer. Alas, Hollywood expertise was not
up to the task. |
