The Garden of Eden (2008)

A young American writer completes his service in WWI and travels across Europe with his wife and her attractive Italian girlfriend. Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway.

Director:

John Irvin

Writers:

James Scott Linville (screenplay), Ernest Hemingway (novel)

Stars:

Jack Huston, Mena Suvari, Caterina Murino

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mena Suvari	...	Catherine Hill Bourne
Jack Huston	...	David Bourne
Caterina Murino	...	Marita
Carmen Maura	...	Madame Aurol
Richard E. Grant	...	Col. Philip Boyle
Matthew Modine	...	David's Father
Mathias Koie Levi Palsvig	...	Young David (as Mathias Palsvig)
Héctor Tomás	...	Patrice (as Hector Tomas)
Dritan Biba	...	Waiter
Luis Callejo	...	Monsieur Jean
Álvaro Roig	...	Vladimir (as Alvaro Roig)
Yaël Belicha	...	Girl Onlooker (as Yael Belicha)
María Miguel	...	Nina (as Maria Miguel)
Igacio Gijon Solis	...	Ritz Waiter
Enrique Zaldua	...	Waiter #2 (as Enrique Zoldua)

Storyline

Set in the jazz age years, prior to the depression, the story follows a successful young American writer, David Bourne, and his beautiful new wife, Catherine, on their extended honeymoon in Europe. Catherine soon becomes restless and starts to tests her husband's devotion, pushing him to the limits of her imagination. Already unsure of the games his wife is playing, David is both uncomfortable and curious when she brings a sultry Italian girl, Marita, to spice things up. As the erotic game reaches new levels, the events that follow will change their lives forever.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian kiss | based on novel | bisexual woman | female full rear nudity | female cuckold | 

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Taglines:

Surrender your inhibitions...

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and some language

Details

Country:

UK Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 2011 (Chile)

Also Known As:

Hemingway's Garden of Eden

Filming Locations:

Novelda, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,404, 12 December 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$22,083, 26 December 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Devonshire Productions, Berwick Street Productions, Freeform Spain

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min (DVD) 111 min (original cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Irvin along with the three leads, appeared in an episode of "Film '72" on the 19th of February 2008.

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Goofs

The fish David "catches" is clearly made of rubber. The fish has an adipose fin which only salmon and catfish have. This fake fish does not look like a salmon at all with the spiky dorsal fin and the snapper head.

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Quotes

David Bourne: It's a strong wind today. We drink according to the wind.

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Soundtracks

What A Lovely Day
Performed by Raimond Bugatti and his Platinum Lounge Syncopators

User Reviews

Medriocre but well acted

This is a very mediocre movie with really good actors who have done everything to give shape to this story. Mena Suvari and Caterina Murino are great in their roles even if these roles are incomplete for understand their stories. For Jack Huston I did not feel anything. He is just not the right actor for the role maybe, he seems too young and perfect to be credible. The story remains shallow, despite the inspiring beginning and how seductive the first 30 minutes looks - it then became flat. The characters are not developed enough to make them believable. They are a cool couple but without any reason to do what they do?. Sad to see what could be a good movie in the right hands. The photography and aesthetic in the movie is good, also beautiful locations, however the lack of depth make this almost disappear. I feel disappointed after watching it.