Close to Eden

1991·Movie
1h 59min
89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Close to Eden fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension5
  • Adrenaline4
  • Fast Pace4

Heart

Romantic and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics8
  • Romance7
  • Pathos7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Physical Comedy2
  • Cringe Humor2

World

History, family, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, storytelling, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A farmer and his wife live in a rural part of Inner Mongolia with their three children. Chinese population control policies prevent them from having any more. The farmer sets out for the nearest town to obtain birth control. He comes upon a Russian truck driver who has ended up in a lake. The farmer takes the man back to his farm, and after initially being appalled, the Russian becomes enchanted with the peaceful life of the countryside and decides to stay. But his presence presages big changes for the peasants.
Mongolian CultureRural LifeFamily DramaIntercultural EncounterBirth ControlSocial CommentaryHistorical SettingPeaceful CountrysideRussian Truck Driver

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Close to Eden

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Close to Eden legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Close to Eden in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Close to Eden worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89/100 (IMDb 7.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 100%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is Close to Eden?

1 h 59 min

Close to Eden runs 1 h 59 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Close to Eden?

Critics100
Audiences85

Not quite. Critics rate Close to Eden higher (100) than audiences (85). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Close to Eden in?

RussianChineseMongolian

It was made in Russian, with some Chinese, Mongolian. Produced in France, Mongolia, Russia.

In how many countries can I watch Close to Eden?

3ESFRRU

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Close to Eden in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Close to Eden use?

The AlcoholicFreaky Funeral FormsMeet CuteSlice of LifeDon't Come A-Knockin'Shout-OutGainax EndingTitle DropBrick JokeCountry MouseForeign QueasineDream Sequenceand 5 more

TV Tropes lists 17 storytelling tropes for Close to Eden, including The Alcoholic, Freaky Funeral Forms, Meet Cute.

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