The movie a major let down to the book.....

I saw bits and pieces of this movie a few years back and found it interesting. Even as neutered as the movie was from the book it was still interesting to see something that had BDSM as its major feature. I was unaware of the book at the time I had seen the parts of the movie nor was I aware this was originally written by Anne Rice.

I bought the book last month and am nearly finished but I am almost angry at how far apart the movie is from the book. The book is so sincere and genuine. The movie is just a lame attempt to make BDSM more palatable to the general public. What disappoints me is the abscence of the love story between Elliot and Lisa and how the movie almost simplifies the characters.

The overview of the book is interesting.

After nearly being killed in El Salvador Elliot Slater decides to delve into something dangerous and scary yet safe. HE goes to a local BDSM house in california where he has several sessions and talks with Martin Halifax. He tells Elliot of this club and Elliot has to go there. Now in his sessions with Halifax he makes a confession that one of his deepest fears was to be dominated by a woman (Elliot is bisexual). He goes to the Island and gets into a bit of trouble after showboating on the first day on the walkway. The book switches its point of views during the story so it is difficult to explain this. It is told in parts from Lisa's point of view and some from Elliots. While Elliot is show boating Lisa is looking at his profile and discovers they were practically neighbors at one point in their lives but never met. She begins to become obcessed with him and decides to pick him as her slave for his stay at the club.

She begins almost immediately breaking the rules as she tries to intercede on his behalf to get him excused from punishment for his showboating but that doesnt work. While he is being punished and made to scrub bathroom floors on his hands and knees Lisa visits him in the night giving him wine and tries to get to know him a bit. There is almost immediate sparks.

Lisa at first does what she is there for and dominates him in several ways that had to be omited from the movie (of course). She realises she may be breaking him and as she is already falling in love with him she cannot stand the thought of destroying someone she may finally love. She rumages through his things too discover more about him and only finds herself more in love with this man.She decides to take him from the club to New Orleans where she only falls deeper in love with him. The club discovers what she has done and wants her and elliot back.

This book is so good I am angry the movie mocks it in such a way as to turn it into a comedy. I am happy such a story made it to film but I am unhappy it was a comedy. It should have been a drama movie. However even in 1994 BDSM was thought of as being weird and for people who were abused as children.

If you have come to these boards after being this interested in the movie and have not read the book. BY ALL MEANS BUY THE BOOK! you will not be disappointed.