Gardener of Eden


Gardener of Eden is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Connolly. It stars Lukas Haas, Erika Christensen and Giovanni Ribisi.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and was Connolly's directorial debut. It was produced by his friend Leonardo DiCaprio.

Plot

Adam Harris, a twenty-something college dropout, returns to his hometown, the fictional "Bickleton" in New Jersey, and moves back in with his parents. Lacking real direction in his life, Adam spends his time working at a local deli and hanging out with his equally unambitious friends. Adam soon finds himself unemployed and cut off by his friends.
Adam's life changes dramatically when he accidentally captures a serial rapist named Richard Pope who has just attacked a local girl, Mona Hukley. The new-found attention inspires him to become a vigilante.

Cast

Release

Gardener of Eden premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2007. After the film was shown, Connolly gave a short-lived Q&A session.

Reception

In a review for The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck praised the film's "resolute strangeness and darkness" and Haas's "memorably quirky performance", but suggested that it "lacks the necessary dramatic urgency or black humor to connect with audiences".