Return to Paradise Review
by Nick Amado (namado AT concentric DOT net)August 24th, 1998
Review: Return To Paradise
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche
Directed by Joseph Ruben
Approx 110 min
Regardless of the critical response to this film, few would debate that Return To Paradise is one of the most thought provoking films of the decade. The story asks two main characters, Sherrif and Tony, if they would spend three years of their life in a third world prison in order to save a friend from execution. But from the get go it is clear, at least to me, that the filmmakers are asking the audience to think about it as much as they are asking the characters to.
Sherrif, Lewis and Tony meet each other for the first time in Malaysia. They are three young men who are experiencing life, sharing hash, beer and babes. Sherrif and Tony decide to return to New York to continue their lives. Lewis stays put, planning to head off to Borneo to work with mistreated apes. The three friends realize that they've bought too much hash and toss most of the remainder in the trash outside their hut. The story picks up two years later in New York City as a lawyer tries to track down Sherrif and Tony. She informs them that Lewis will be executed because of the sheer volume the officials found in his posession. That amount makes anyone in Malaysia a suspected drug dealer, the penalty for which is death. But if one man goes back for his friend, he spends six years in prison but accepts half of the responsiblity, thus half of the drugs. If both go back, three years each.
Most of the film tugs at our morality. We know what we SHOULD do, but what we would actually do if faced with the situation is a different story. The filmmakers make no bones about it, the characters ping pong back and forth with their emotions, as do we. Conscience, the "right" thing to do is not always the easiest, nor necessarily the best. The conflict is firmly implanted early on. After that, we just wait to see what they would do.
Return To Paradise is a well-crafted picture. It is dark, it is depressing, and there are probably a lot of things in the film that you might question, as I did. There were some things I just didn't buy. But they are also intentional choices made by the men and women behind the camera, and that was something I was able to accept. The film looks as though every scene was shot using the one available light on the set. Every shot is drenched in thick shadows. Reasonably, there arent' a lot of moments of bright color in Return to Paradise, once the men part ways early on. The decisions they have to make are grave. The situation their friend faces is grave.
Like last year's pitiful Red Corner, this film tackles the issues of Asian judicial systems, though the real story here is the morality of man, a true "what if". But, the choice by the filmmakers is to make the "enemy" (the Malaysian government) faceless for the most part is a good one. A faceless enemy in the movies is always much easier to sell, and it is easier for the audience to accept. But we do see the faces at the end, and it is a matter of personal opinion whether or not what we see really works.
Perhaps the most surprising amidst the fine performances in Paradise was that of Joaquin Phoenix. He has a rather small part, playing the imprisoned Lewis. But he makes the most of his limited screen time and may, in certain circles, be considered for an Academy Award nomination. (Are we talking about this already?) Vince Vaughn, as Sherrif, sells his character well. We are pulled every which way with his character. Anne Heche gives a good sentimental performance as Lewis' lawyer, who shows grit and perserverance as a fighter who is always patient with the two men who face the ultimate decision.
Return to Paradise is certainly good enough to recommend, but try not to watch it with sharp objects in the vicinity. Be prepared to question yourself, your morals, and for god's sake, don't go after a really fun afternoon.
* * * out of * * * * stars
©1998 Nick Amado
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