AL ESTE DEL EDÉN

Al este del Edén. Steinbeck. James Dean. Toda la cinta está llena de esa intensidad melodramática en la actuación, en esa exageración de los sentimientos de Dean, en esta pela en la que ya había fallecido James al momento de su exposición. Un granjero californiano vive con sus dos hijos, Cal y Aron. Cada uno de ellos tiene un carácter muy diferente, pero ambos compiten por el cariño de su padre. Además la situación se complica cuando Cal descubre que su madre no está muerta, y que además regenta un burdel. Conflictos fraternales con ecos de la historia bíblica de Caín y Abel para un filme basado en la excelente novela homónima de John Steinbeck. En esta escena (la más impresionante), Cal le entrega dinero a su padre que mediante la especulación de productos agrícolas ha logrado reunir. El padre no lo acepta porque considera que es un robo y como siempre lo compara con Aron. Etica pre moderna vs. el nuevo capitalismo. Lo único que quiere Cal es el afecto y la aprobación de su padre, entonces ocurre esto. Impresionante.



-What's this? What is this?
-I made it. And it's for you.
It's all the money you lost on the lettuce.
-You made it? But how?
- Beans.
- Beans?
-Yes, we bought futures at cents... and the war came along and the price went sky-high. So, that's for you. It's all the money you lost in the lettuce business. It's for you. I made it for you.
- You will have to give it back.
-No, I made it for you, Dad. I want you to have it.
- You will have to give it back.
- Who? I can't give it...
- To the people you got it from.
- No, the British Purchasing Agency? I can't give it back.
-Give it to the farmers you robbed.
-We didn't rob anybody, Dad. We paid cents a pound, cents over market for that stuff.
-I sign my name and boys go out and some die... and some live helpless without arms and legs.Not one will come back untorn. Do you think I could take a profit from that? I don't want the money, Cal! I couldn't take it! I thank you for the thought, but...
- I'll keep it for you. I'll wrap it up and we'll just keep it in here...
-I'll never take it! Son, I'd be happy if you'd give me... Something like your brother's given me. Something honest and human and good. Don't be angry, Son. If you want to give me a present, give me a good life. That's something I could value. Cal, don't. Please, don't.

Otra de yapa.  ¶ 10:27 a. m.