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Eden: Weeding a 10-Year Garden  E-mail
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 20:00
Watch our interview with Eugene O' Brien and Declan Recks:


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An unflinching look at a marriage in crisis, Eden shows a week in the life of Billy and Breda Farrell as the couple’s relationship disintegrates during the week of their 10th wedding anniversary. Breda is dead-set on using the occasion to spark renewed passion in the fizzling relationship, but Billy has developed a crush on a young local woman and engages in a delusional, sometimes drunken pursuit of the unattainable object of his desire.  What follows is a chaotic clash of wills and missed opportunities as the pair melts down.

This stark and moving first feature film from Irish director Declan Recks was adapted from Eugene O’Brien’s critically acclaimed play of the same title. Set in the Irish midlands during the economic boom of the '90s, Eden is in part a commentary on the marital proclivity for avoidance in lieu of intimacy and honesty, and the void that can remain even in the midst of material wealth.

Recks sparingly and sensitively directs what was originally a two-actor stage piece consisting of a series of monologues. Aidan Kelly is utterly convincing as Billy, whose repressed frustration and desires are conveyed with admirable subtlety, while Eileen Walsh’s Breda brims with a heart-rending yearning and desperation. (The role garnered her a Best Actress award at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival). This freshman offering from Recks is a realistic and touching slice of life that simply but powerfully examines the intricacies of desire, longing, intimacy and honesty. TimesSqaure.com spoke with Recks and screenwriter O'Brien about their work.



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