Exit to Eden
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Exit to Eden is a novel by Anne Rice, initially published in 1985 under the pen name Anne Rampling, but subsequently under Rice's name. It is also an American 1994 feature film based on the novel, directed by Garry Marshall and adapted to the screen by Deborah Amelon and Bob Brunner.
Exit to Eden is notable in several ways. The novel explores the subject of BDSM in romance novel form. The novel also brought attention to Anne Rice's published works that differed from the type of writing she was better known for (e.g. Interview with the Vampire which was also made into a feature film). Additionally, the film differed greatly from the book, with a new major story line and several new characters added.
Plot summary
The novel features two main characters, Lisa Kelly and Elliot Slater. Kelly manages an isolated BDSM resort called Eden that offers its high-end clients an exclusive setting in which they can experience the life of a Master or Mistress. Prospective sex slaves, who are paid at the end of their time there (which varies from 6 months to two years), are presented at slave auctions by the most respected Trainers from across the world. Slater is a new slave at Eden, and Kelly is the Head Female Trainer, and partial founder. Kelly gets first pick of the new slaves, and chooses Slater -- their chemistry is undeniable from the start, and intensifies throughout their time together. They eventually fall in love.Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
The film partially utilized the story of the book, with Dana Delany playing Lisa Emerson (Lisa Kelly in the book), and Paul Mercurio playing Elliot Slater. However, half of the film consisted of a new comedic detective story line written by the director. Several new characters were created, including Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell as police officers pursuing diamond thieves to the Eden resort. These characters then start to explore BDSM as well. New dialogue and scenes for the original characters were written to include them in the new story line.
Public response
The film garnered attention during its release because of the BDSM themes, and because of the high profiles of the director, the cast members, and the author. Promotional materials for the film included photos of Dana Delany in dominatrix attire, resulting in her being a popular inclusion on the early world wide web.But it was generally panned by the critics, who expressed dispappointment and confusion about the combination of the original story and the comedic elements. [link],[link],[link].
One controversy for the film occurred when it was banned by the Saskatchewan Film and Video Classification Board. Critics were puzzled by the banning, as Saskatchewan was the only jurisdiction known to have kept the film out of theatres. After a brief media flurry, the Board repealed the ban.
Release details
- 1985, USA, Arbor House Pub (ISBN 087795609X), Pub date ? May 1985, hardback (First edition)
- 1988, USA, Time Warner Paperbacks (ISBN 0708830005), Pub date 1 November 1988, paperback
- 19946, USA, Dell Publishing (ISBN 0440123925), Pub date ? October 1994, paperback (film tie-in edition)
- 1996, USA, Ballantine Books (ISBN 0345401964), Pub date ? February 1996, paperback
- 1998, USA, Severn House Publishers (ISBN 0727853414), Pub date ? May 1998, hardback
Film publication
Exit to Eden, the film was released on VHS tape (NTSC) in 1995, and then on DVD (NTSC Region 1) in April 2002.External links
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