27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not the book, but wonderful on its own, April 24, 2002
First, a caveat: if you liked the Anne Rice novel this film is loosely based on, you probably won't like the film.
<I>Exit to Eden</I> is a wonderful, lighthearted introduction to the world of BDSM. Unlike Rice's novel, the BDSM in the film is realistic, and the viewer is introduced to elements of real-life BDSM like safewords, mutual consent, and commitment to safety, that most BDSM fiction sorely lacks.
The casting was inspired, particularly of Dana Delany, Rosie O'Donnell, and Paul Mercurio, who like the people i play with are real people behind the leather facade.
Those who are seriously into the scene might find this movie a little tame, with only a couple of real scenes and "bondage" that can easily be escaped from. But the curious will find it a safe and unthreatening introduction to a very real and viable lifestyle. The scene with Lisa, Elliot, and the hairbrush rang very true on an emotional level--and i don't care what anyone says, the scene with Elliot in Mistress Lisa's bath was HOT.
There are only a few complaints i would make. Unlike the real BDSM community (or the novel), there's no hint of homoeroticism in the film. The real-life scene is very pansexual, with people of all orientations sharing space. And the casting of Richard was terrible. Most of all, i wish a lot more screen time had been devoted to Lisa's relationship with Diana, whose heady mix of intimacy and formal role has been an inspiration for my own relationship.
But those are very minor complaints. Overall it's a delightful film, one i've watched again and again over the years. If i were ever to come out to my family about being into BDSM, i would start with having them watch this movie.
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35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Geez prudes, lighten up, January 2, 2001
OK...let's get right to the point. This movie is not for the easily embarrassed and definitely not for children. It is funny and unexpected...at least at first viewing...and that makes it well worth seeing at least one time.
The movie falters in that the director cannot make up his mind: is this a comedy? is this a thriller? is this soft porn? The lack of a consistent target leaves the viewer rather disoriented.
Still...(and I read the bondage person's opinion earlier in the list of reviews)...the hairbrush scene is NOT TYPICAL for standard American films. My wife and I saw it first in a theater (on the first or second day of release), and there was NOT A SOUND during that scene...and I stole a quick enough glance around to see that everyone was glued to screen. Not too common an event for this sort of film.
Finally...those of you who don't want to see an average sized woman in skimpy outfits need a reality check...Not everyone is a size 4 with plastic-surgeon enhanced breasts. Rosie is not my ideal "babe" but she sure as heck is real; and that is worth something, too.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good clean fun, July 9, 2001
I found the entire concept funny; whether intentional or not, this movie does have some gags going for it, thanks to O'Donnell's wisecracks, Ackroyd's visual hamming, and the situational humor. I was pleased to see that it doesn't take itself as seriously (all the time) as some viewers expected. Lighten up, y'all! Equating a fairly mild fetish (at least as presented here, with glamourized sugar-coating and wink-wink-nudge-nudge abounding) with a serious "Alternative Lifestyle Choice" is just pompous. Maybe some people need to get over their preoccupations with their lower chakras? And speaking of which, any movie with the lovely Dana Delany au naturel automatically gains an extra star. Maybe two.
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