E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

Eileen Gray (Natalie Radmall-Quirke) is known for her unique approach toward architecture and furniture design. E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea explores the life of the groundbreaking designer, as it intertwines subtle Hollywood glamour in order to present viewers with the most vivid representation of Eileen possible. 

Every single character in E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea is the definition of pretension. Each character possesses a quality that sees them condescending to everyone around them–even their equals. The attitudes of everyone involved in this narrative is frustrating; though, it seems that this team possibly exacerbated the personalities of these characters to express to viewers their intensity. This is obviously a calculated decision, which becomes more apparent given the film’s aesthetic.

The pretentiousness is met by a backdrop of beauty that juxtaposes the potentially frustrating tones of the characters. Without a doubt, the ostentation of E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea’s leads will rub viewers the wrong way, and Writer-Director Beatrice Minger and Co-Director Cristoph Schaub look to find a way to create balance, and the backdrop of this film is enough to do that.

Radmall-Quirke narrates the film, guiding viewers through her life–particularly the years in which she found herself the most productive artistically. Often when she narrates, viewers are met with what appears to be actual footage from her time on earth. I can’t quite determine whether these are modern images and videos slightly distorted in order to convey a specific time, or if E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea does, in fact, include footage from Gray’s life. Either way, Minger and Shaub are effective in transporting their audience to a place synonymous with Gray’s years of success. 

Unfortunately, the screener of E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea decided to stop working just before the hour mark. I was unable to complete my viewing of this film–but, regardless of where the narrative was headed at this point, I feel it’s safe to say that all that I’ve already mentioned would be true of the latter half of the film as well. The directing duo understood the assignment, able to convey something visceral, accessible, and seemingly quite honest. Regardless of the fact that I wasn’t able to view the second half of E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea, my positive opinion of the film stands firm. 

With brilliant juxtaposition in tone, created by the harsh characters and gorgeous scenery, E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea is successful in reeling viewers in and presenting them with a narrative that is ultimately appealing–but a masterclass of filmmaking in other ways. 

Directed by Beatrice Minger & Christoph Schaub. 

Written by Beatrice Minger. 

Starring Natalie Radmall-Quirke, Axel Moustache, Charles Morillon, Eileen Gray, Vera Flück, etc. 

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING