"Free of Eden" is the story of one young African-American woman's determined escape from the ghetto through enlightenment and education. Although the film gets sidetracked periodically, it never derails and stays focused on the principals, Sidney Poitier's character, the teacher; his real life daughter Sydney's character, the pupil; and their inspiring and heartwarming story. A movie with a message and time well spent.
7 Reviews
average movie but uplifting story
nilis-33 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Young girl Nicole, dropout in Eden Parks, Brooklyn, becomes victim of a lethal robbery in her poverty-stricken neighborhood. She loses her dead-end job and feels she has no future anymore and chooses to do something about it. She gets private lessons from her old school teacher Will Cleamons (played by her actual father Sidney Poitier), becomes educated and in the end will leave her poor backgrounds for a bright future...
Although the story is powerful in its message I thought the movie itself was rather mediocre in its workmanship. The story felt contrived at some points and I didn't feel I was watching a 'real' story but rather a moral fable. The directing could have been a lot better. The acting also isn't that great although Sydney Tamiia Poitier does a decent job in her first big role as an actress.
But this doesn't mean I didn't enjoy watching it. The uplifting message of this girl trying to escape her disconsolate fate certainly touched me and seeing her succeed even inspired me.
Although the story is powerful in its message I thought the movie itself was rather mediocre in its workmanship. The story felt contrived at some points and I didn't feel I was watching a 'real' story but rather a moral fable. The directing could have been a lot better. The acting also isn't that great although Sydney Tamiia Poitier does a decent job in her first big role as an actress.
But this doesn't mean I didn't enjoy watching it. The uplifting message of this girl trying to escape her disconsolate fate certainly touched me and seeing her succeed even inspired me.
A Feel Good Picture
camraman20 July 2000
Sorry, but the highest vote I could manage for this movie was a seven. I'm not aware of any other offerings by Sydney Tamiia Poitier, but I was impressed with her performance, thought disappointed that she didn't have the "project" look or sound. Some slang, some profanity, a lack of education but not enough spelled out in the script to be totally convincing- that she had a long way to climb. That shortcoming is the fault of the script and the director. In terms of her acting, though, I felt she gave a very good performance if this was her first time in a lead role for a motion picture. I also liked Phylicia Rashad's performance as well. I felt the story was nicely woven together- mixing Nicole (Sydney), Will Clemons (Sidney Poitier), Teresa (Naomi Gaskin) and Desiree (Phylicia) together to reach a common goal. Overall, after anyone watches this movie, they should be able to leave wondering what contributions can they make to improve not only their own lives, but what influence can they also have on others. You can definitely rise from the couch on a high note with this movie.
She wants something more...but she has no idea what.
planktonrules7 August 2022
"Free of Eden" is one of several made for TV movies Sidney Poitier made just before he retired from acting. This one must have been very special to him, as his co-star in the film is his daughter, Sydney Tamiia Poitier!
Nicole (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) is a teen who's dropped out of school and is living in Eden, a project in Brooklyn. Crime and poverty is all around her...and she just witnessed the senseless murder of two people at work! Now, without a job and filled with dissatisfaction with her lot in life, she approaches an icon in the black community, Will Cleamons (Sidney Poitier). She wants him to help teach her...but what and what is the ultimate goal, she has no idea. At first, he isn't interested. After all, he was a teacher but gave it up long ago. But she is persistent and eventually he agrees to tutor her...with the aim at bettering her and making her more aware of the world.
In some ways, this movie reminds me of the Sean Connery film, "Finding Forrester". It, too, is about a young black person going no where with their lives...and a mentor who helps guide them towards something better.
So did I enjoy "Free of Eden"? Yes. While I thought it perhaps had too many subplots which took away from the interaction between the two leads, the acting was sensational and the story compelling. In other words, it ain't perfect...but it's still very good.
Nicole (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) is a teen who's dropped out of school and is living in Eden, a project in Brooklyn. Crime and poverty is all around her...and she just witnessed the senseless murder of two people at work! Now, without a job and filled with dissatisfaction with her lot in life, she approaches an icon in the black community, Will Cleamons (Sidney Poitier). She wants him to help teach her...but what and what is the ultimate goal, she has no idea. At first, he isn't interested. After all, he was a teacher but gave it up long ago. But she is persistent and eventually he agrees to tutor her...with the aim at bettering her and making her more aware of the world.
In some ways, this movie reminds me of the Sean Connery film, "Finding Forrester". It, too, is about a young black person going no where with their lives...and a mentor who helps guide them towards something better.
So did I enjoy "Free of Eden"? Yes. While I thought it perhaps had too many subplots which took away from the interaction between the two leads, the acting was sensational and the story compelling. In other words, it ain't perfect...but it's still very good.
addresses writing, chemistry, plot line
buck-4322 February 1999
The setup grips the viewer early in the story and follows through to the end, realistic characters and dialogue with magical chemistry between Poitier and daughter, Sydney. The viewing public is going to see much more of this budding, young actress. Rashad shows us her seldom-seen, rich dramatic talent. Much credit to the direction and camera for some intriguing angles seldom seen before. Above all, this movie carries a message for everybody. It is a story about something!!
For certain people, education comes with a cost, but the changes are worth it.
mark.waltz23 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It's the most amazing father and daughter team on screen since the Fonda's, and the magnetism, love and respect is there fit the gorgeous and intelligent Sydney Tamiia Poitier and her father, someone by the name of Sidney. Unlike Henry and Jane, they are not playing father and daughter, but teacher and student, with Sydney's character seeking Sidney's out for the proper education she didn't get in school. She comes from the Brooklyn projects and desperately wants to get away from the crime all around her, having witnessed the senseless murder of two of her coworkers and seeing the killer both in her nightmares and around town. As she begins to pick up the knowledge Sidney has presented with, she begins her path to success by becoming involved in the case of his ex-wife (Phyllicia Rashad, excellent as always), in prison for the murder of her abusive ex-husband.
There's also the very good Saundra McLain as Sydney's troubled mother, also involved with an abusive man but afraid to be alone and members of Sydney's former social circle who consider her desire for knowledge a betrayal. It certainly is a believable conflict as someone who seems to have no prospects begins to fight for her integrity rather than be kept down because of her upbringing. When she begins to realize she has to do something about the thug she witnessed kill someone, her ethics and courage are tested, as is everything she's gained. The teaming of the two Poitiers is top notch, one of the truly great social dramas of modern television.
There's also the very good Saundra McLain as Sydney's troubled mother, also involved with an abusive man but afraid to be alone and members of Sydney's former social circle who consider her desire for knowledge a betrayal. It certainly is a believable conflict as someone who seems to have no prospects begins to fight for her integrity rather than be kept down because of her upbringing. When she begins to realize she has to do something about the thug she witnessed kill someone, her ethics and courage are tested, as is everything she's gained. The teaming of the two Poitiers is top notch, one of the truly great social dramas of modern television.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
