The Garden of Eden (2008 film)

The Garden of Eden is a 2008 independent erotic drama film directed by John Irvin, based on the unfinished novel of the same name by Ernest Hemingway. The film stars Mena Suvari, Jack Huston, and Caterina Murino.

The story revolves around a young American writer, David Bourne (Huston), and his wife, Catherine (Suvari), as they spend their honeymoon on the French Riviera. Their idyllic life takes a turn when Catherine begins to explore her sexuality, drawing another woman, Marita (Murino), into their relationship. The film explores themes of sexual experimentation, jealousy, artistic inspiration, and the complexities of relationships in the context of the Jazz Age.

While adapted from Hemingway's novel, the film takes liberties with the source material and expands upon themes present in the incomplete manuscript. Its release was met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising the cinematography and performances, while others criticized the pacing and lack of narrative depth.