Exit to Eden (1994)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

People are voting emotionally.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I have never read Anne Rice's novel "Exit to Eden"- indeed, until I saw this film I had never heard of it- but I understand that it is an erotic love story set against the background of the world of sadomasochism. The film-makers took Rice's basic plot and turned it into a comedy, although still set against the background of the world of sadomasochism, and added a plot line about two cops in pursuit of two diamond thieves, thereby creating the world's first sadomasochistic buddy-buddy-cop comedy-crime-thriller.Elliott Slater, a professional photographer, books into Eden, an island holiday resort catering for sadomasochists. Unknown to him, he has been followed to the island by Omar and Nina, two ruthless criminals who are trying to retrieve the film from Elliott's camera- this was in the pre-digital era- which contains a shot which could identify Omar as one of the participants in a jewel heist. Also on the island are the two bumbling Los Angeles cops, Fred and Sheila. Another strand to the plot concerns the growing romance between Elliott and the resort's resident dominatrix, Mistress Lisa, even though the strict etiquette of her profession means that she is not supposed to fall in love with her clients. Sheila also finds romance at the end of the film when a handsome young stud, who also turns out to be a company Chief Executive, falls for her.Back in 1994 the idea for this film might have seemed like a good one, at least to the film-makers. It wasn't. The film proved a flop, both critically and financially. Dan Aykroyd, who at his best can be a very good actor, was nominated for a "Worst Supporting Actor" Razzie for his portrayal of Fred, and Rosie O'Donnell, as Sheila, won "Worst Supporting Actress". O'Donnell, who is hardly Hollywood's greatest glamour-puss, spends much of the running-time dressed in skimpy bondage attire, even though she has to compete with equally scantily dressed co-stars as attractive as Dana Delany and the gorgeous supermodel Iman. There should be a special Razzie for "Actress Most in Need of Less Revealing Clothing". Despite her good looks, Delany is not commanding enough to suggest that her character could make a career as a dominatrix, and Iman does little to counteract the widely held view that supermodels are generally ill- advised to exchange the catwalk for the film set. Several other top models were attempting to break into acting during the nineties, but Iman is no better an actress than the likes of Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Elle Macpherson. Indeed, she is probably rather worse, which is saying something. She comes across as the least menacing criminal I have ever seen. She can't even sneeze convincingly. As for Paul Mercutio- well, I really can't remember much about his performance. And I only saw the film yesterday.Dodgy acting is not the only problem with this film. It is supposed to be a comedy, but it is completely unfunny; I can't think of a single situation or line of dialogue which made we want to laugh with the actors as opposed to laughing at them. It is no classic of erotica, but there is enough suggestive dialogue and enough bare flesh on display to ensure it got an "18" rating, something unusual for a comedy. I felt that this was a mistake on the part of the film-makers. No film about sexual sadomasochism is ever going to be suitable for the family audience, but that "18" certificate means that it also excluded the sniggering adolescent audience, who are the only demographic who might find it in any way amusing. There may be some people who retain the sniggering adolescent mentality well after their eighteenth birthday, but there were evidently not enough of them to save the film from its well-deserved box-office failure.I was surprised to learn that this rubbish was directed by Garry Marshall, who had previously made romantic comedies and dramas as good as "Overboard", "Pretty Woman" and "Frankie and Johnny". "Exit to Eden" may be the world's first sadomasochistic buddy-buddy-cop comedy-crime- thriller. Let's hope it is also the last. 2/10

Exit To Eden was a wonderful, fun movie to watch. Dana Delaney was a stunning, wonderfully beautiful actress to watch, capturing your heart easily in her role. She was a real sweetheart, although it may be hard to envision a career Dominatrix acting as she did. Eliot was great, everyone did a wonderful job entertaining us with A). A good story, and B). Mildly erotic entertainment. This movie was a fairly predictable cop-drama with some erotic entertainment and a love story kicked in for good measure. Remember, we are watching TV, that thing you do because you want to go away for a couple of hours and feel good. Dan Ackroyd was good (although his partner definitely got the better deal :) ) Rosie O' Donnell kept me going, 'Euuuuggghhhh' through most of the movie, although she was funny...Bottom line, if you want HOT erotica, go somewhere else. If you want mild erotica and want to have fun for a couple of hours, if you want to get away for a while, take the Exit To Eden. It's a fun trip.

When Tom Snyder had his talk show on cable years ago,they did a segment on this movie a lot of couples approved of it.Some were saying it helped their romance,as well as their relationships.But the makers of this movie failed to overlook something here.God Himself,and The written facts in the bible Worship God only.Mistresses,have become a world wide network.Many of them proclaiming themselves goddesses and demand to be worshiped.Gods 1st Commandment,Thou Shalt Not Have No Other gods Before Me.Also pertains to false gods,false goddesses,and so many who expect to be worshiped.Even in history former figures like Zeus,Apollo,Venus Athena and the list goes on.All of these so called gods,goddesses,and all those who expect to be worshiped have one thing in common.They are all mortal human beings,as was Zeus and so many others.When revelation finally does come,we may not be here too witness it It can happen a hundred years from now,nobody knows the exact time but God Himself.God is slow to anger and quick to forgive,but even churches rarely mention that Our God is a Jealous God.I doubt it I will see revelation in my life time,but if it come to pass,I'd love too see God set His world straight on His Ten Commandments,most especially His 1st Commandent.Amen

I gave it an excellent because after all I enjoyed it. The plot line at it's bases, cops look for bad guy that no one knows what he looks like in a strange place, but on the other hand, this was not your usual strange place. I think it did a safe job of showing the alternative life styles some people like or want to experiment with. Some B&D and a little S&M. Great fun.Dana alone would make the movie a ten. Her portrayal as a dom was pretty good, granted that some doms are downright vicious, she came across better and let's be honest, anyone here not want to have her in your pool?Rosie was fun, as was Dan.I am not sure they could have filmed the book as it was written. Would have had to be done by a porno house I think.Her cop persona should have been brought back. She and Dan I thought made a pretty good comedy pair.When Iman is in the red leather outfit, she looked hot. Good on ya David!I do agree the New Orleans bit could have been left out but it worked nonetheless. The island was the only real disappointment because I think they should have shot it in the Caribbean maybe at the real island where this sort of thing goes on. Would have liked to see a little more naked swimming. Heh heh heh.Overall the plot line was fun and THANK GOD it wasn't PRETTY WOMAN. That movie was tripe and paint by the numbers every step of the way. EXIT TO EDEN was fun and enjoyable. And different.But it definitely was an R rated movie.