“HOT AND SENSUOUS”
Starring: Mena Suvari, Jack Huston, Caterina Murino, Richard E. Grant, and Carmen Maura
Directed by: John Irvin
MPAA Rated: R for strong sexual content, nudity and some language
Genre: Remake, Drama, Romance, Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr 51 min
Distributed by: Roadside Attractions
By John Delia
Stunning and beautifully made Hemingway’s Garden of Eden is sure to be a winner for those who like hot romance at a gorgeous Oceanside villa. The lavish period piece takes you on a ride of instant love, torrid affairs and a writer’s dream. It’s made for romantics and book readers alike.
The film centers on Catherine (Suvari) and David (Huston) who meet at a prominent affair, fall in love and go on a whirlwind romantic honeymoon in the 1920’s. Most of the film takes place at their rented villa on the Spanish coast where the picturesque scenes add to their love relationship. But, Catherine has other ideas on how her sexual cravings can be fed and invites Marita (Caterina Murino) to stay with the couple for the last month of their seaside honeymoon. Although it is innocent at first, relationships start to get heated up in more ways than one.
I liked the film, but could have done without the scenes from David’s novel. If they were necessary, better acting, direction and filming would have helped a lot. I would have been just as content with keeping to the live storyline. After all, they cut the original Hemingway manuscript “Garden of Eden” to shreds anyway, what difference would it have made if they used a little more Hollywood in remaking this film.
The sex scenes are very torrid and sensual and in my opinion almost NC17-rated. But, romance in films today has taken a realist turn and I can see the necessity here. The setting, wistfulness of the couple and the freedoms of the time period in Europe all lend to the very physical film.
Director John Irvin goes back to his roots (A Month by the Lake) and shoots another pretty film. This time however it’s a Hemingway and the novel cut-in is probably part of the contract to make the film. His heavy hand with the cameraman making sure he gets great vistas is noted in Garden of Eden.
Outside of the feeling that Mena Suvari was a tad wrong for the part and overplayed the haughtiness of her character, the rest of the cast was endearing and perfect for their roles. The standout performance by Caterina Murino as the rich European woman that’s on a quest to move in and win the love of David is actually quite stunning. Her beauty and mannerisms take control of the screen whenever she is present.
The film is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and some language. The film could have easily been rated NC-17 had it not been slightly sheered during bedroom interludes.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A steamy film for art lovers. (3.5 of 5)