MOVIE - The East

PG-13 (1:56)

Limited release 5/31/13

Sunday morning, 8-18-13 at Crossroads

RT Critic:  74  Audience:  72

Cag:  6/Awesome 

Directed by Zal Batmanglij

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Alexander Skarsgard, Ellen Page

Rotten Tomatoes Summary:  THE EAST, a suspenseful and provocative espionage thriller from acclaimed writer-director Zal Batmanglij and writer-actress Brit Marling, stars Marling as former FBI agent Sarah Moss. Moss is starting a new career at Hiller Brood, an elite private intelligence firm that ruthlessly protects the interests of its A-list corporate clientele. Handpicked for a plum assignment by the company's head honcho, Sharon (Patricia Clarkson), Sarah goes deep undercover to infiltrate The East, an elusiveanarchist collective seeking revenge against major corporations guilty of covering up criminal activity. Determined, highly-trained and resourceful, Sarah soon ingratiates herself with the group, overcoming their initial suspicions and joining them on their next action or "jam." But living closely with the intensely committed members of The East, Sarah finds herself torn between her two worlds as she starts to connect with anarchist Benji (Alexander Skarsgård) and the rest of the collective, and awakens to the moral contradictions of her personal life.

My comments:  This was a fantastic movie...big corporations vs. the little guy.  What happens when a group of zealous, caring young people decide to get even with those uncaring, money-hoarding corporations? Are we talking terrorism here?  And what does it look like  from the corporate side?  Alexander Skarsgard is absolutely riveting in this incredible, thought-provoking drama.  I loved it.