RETURN TO PARADISE
RATING: 7.5 / 10 --> Re-watchable
Review
Date:
August 18, 1998
Director:
Joseph Ruben
Writers:
Wesley Strick and Bruce Robinson
Producers:
Alain Bernheim and Steve Golin
Actors:
Vince Vaughn as John "Sheriff"
Volgecherev
Anne Heche as Beth Eastern
Joaquin Phoenix as Lewis
David Conrad as Tony
Genre:
Thriller
Year of Release: 1998
Vince Vaughn must've really liked working with his
co-stars in this film. Come autumn, Vince will be co-starring
opposite Joaquin Phoenix in CLAY PIGEONS, and come Christmas, he
joins his other co-star, Anne Heche, in Gus Van Sant's
shot-by-shot remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic PSYCHO (Don't
look at me, I didn't green-light this project.)
PLOT:
Three guys go down to Malaysia for some fun and relaxation. They
smoke hash. Drink a lot of rum. And bang a lot of girls. Money
depleted, two of the friends return home to NY. The remaining guy
gets caught with their remaining brick of hash, and is to be
sentenced to death by hanging, unless his two friends return to
the exotic land of Malaysia, and serve respective three-year
prison sentences. If one returns, he serves six years. What would
you do?
CRITIQUE:
Solid premise filled with a plethora of moral dilemmas, this film
rocks you through the gamut of emotions on the strength of its
superb casting and genuine performances. If the plot line of this
film does not interest you, then you may or may not like this
movie depending on your mood. On the other hand, if the basis of
this film does draw in you some intrigue, get ready to enjoy the
spoils of your emotional interest. This is a not a film for the
kids. Suffice it to say that if you liked the Oliver Stone-penned
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (7.5/10), you will most likely appreciate this
film as well.
This movie is not a cut-and-paste moral drama that slowly places
all the right pieces in front of you as you strand along. It's a
well drawn-out story with interesting characters, real emotions,
and several unforeseen curves thrown in for a deeper search of
the soul. The twists keep the story from getting boring, but more
than that, it is the actors that come through in blazing colours.
Vince Vaughn delivers his best performance since his breakthrough
role in SWINGERS (8.5/10), with a character that could easily
have been played without much care, but instead, we find a
well-rounded human being whose continually interesting to watch,
and a joy to deconstruct. Granting that I've never been much of
an Anne Heche fan should draw further notice to my acclamation of
her rock-solid performance, while Joaquin Phoenix plays his part
with a big heart and sensitive touch, likely to bring tears to
your eyes.
The two negative points in this otherwise extremely compelling
drama would be Jada Pinkett Smith's appearance and performance as
the one-dimensional reporter with a dire need for acting lessons,
and the uninspired and trite budding of romance among a couple of
the characters. Other than that, make sure that you bring plenty
of tissues, if you're the type of person that cries (Mrs. JoBlo
is guilty as charged...again!), and prepare to be transported
through some of the darkest passages of your consciousness, while
attempting to complete the answers to some of the most personal
questions rustling through this fine film. A summer blockbuster
it is not, but a thought-provoking story, it is.
Little Known Facts:
Previous titles for this film were FORCE MAJEURE (The title of
the 1989 French film upon which the film is based), ALL FOR ONE,
and A LONG WAY TO PARADISE.
Born in Puerto Rico, Joaquin
Phoenix changed his name to Leaf at the age
of four, but then reverted back to Joaquin in the early '90's.
His siblings' names include Summer, Liberty and Rain. He was also
brother to late actor, River
Phoenix of MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (7.5/10),
STAND BY ME (7.5/10) and DOGFIGHT (8/10) fame. River died of an
overdose of drugs on Halloween eve, 1993, in front of the Johnny Depp-owned
bar The Viper Room in Hollywood.
Vince Vaughn stands 6"4, and was born in Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
Jada Pinkett Smith stand 5"0, and is married to film-star Will Smith of MEN IN BLACK (7/10) fame.
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian