Review by Bob Ignizio
Sometimes
the best way to get a good film role is to write it for yourself.
That seems to be Brit Marling's philosophy, and so far it seems to
have paid off. Although the actress has worked in films for other
people, her most high profile roles have been in the movies she has
co-written with her directors, 2011's ANOTHER EARTH
(with Mike Cahill) and the same year's THE SOUND OF MY
VOICE (with Zal Batmanglij).
Marling teams with Batmanglij once again for the political thriller
THE EAST, which is
her best work both as writer and star to date.
Marling plays
Sarah, a former FBI agent now working in the private sector. Her
current assignment is to infiltrate a group of activists (or
eco-terrorists, depending on your point of view) called The East. The
information is then passed on to Sarah's superior (Patricia
Clarkson), who delivers it to the corporate clients footing the bill.
