Return to Paradise
Three friends discover their vacation in an Asian paradise had unexpected consequences. When one of them is arrested for drug possession, the other two must return to Asia and take their share of the responsibility, or their friend will be sentenced to death by hanging.
Member Reviews
so disappointed - snickerdoodle
I have finished watching the first hour of this movie, which I was so looking forward to after reading the raving reviews - I am wondering whether or not I can be bothered to go back and watch the rest - am I watching the same movie that these people who wrote the other reviews have watched??? I am not sure. I think that the movie has a lot of faults: for a start, the acting is exceptionally poor and filled to the top with cliche after cliche. I am not at all engaged in the movie, it has completely failed to capture me and draw me in or even make me care.
I will probably watch the rest and then I will continue the review...
so I watched the rest of the movie - it could have been so good - I thought the story-line sounded extremely interesting, but, quite honestly, it has been a while since I have seen such one-dimensional acting, completely unconvincing. These characters were not brought to life for me, too bad, really too bad, I had such great hopes...Interesting Moral Question - Gregg
Three young American men meet up and together enjoy a last fling in Malaysia before returning home to settle down for the rest of their lives, they enjoy the wonderful climate, the local women and inexpensive local drug supply. Unfortunately, soon after two of them (Vince Vaughn and David Conrad) depart for New York the local police while investigating a missing bicycle discover the unused drugs and arrest the last of the three companions (Joaquim Phoenix). Due to the quantity of the drugs the Malaysian laws dictate that it is an amount indicating trafficking and thus mandating a penalty of death. It is with this information that a lawyer (Anne Heche) arrives on the doorsteps of the other two companions two years after their departure. She informs them that they have 8 days to decide whether they will return to Malaysia and accept part of the blame and subsequently face a three year prison sentence (or six years if only one agrees to return) in order to prevent the death of their one time companion.
This is a well executed film with some very good performances particularly from Anne Heche and Vince Vaughn and a very compelling moral question. Would you be willing to spend 3 years of your life in a primitive prison to save the life of someone you knew for only a brief period of time? Would the fact partly responsible be a factor in your decision? This is the dilemma with which these two companions are confronted and it’s the lawyer for the third who tries to convince them of their responsibility. In addition to those already mentioned the film also stars Vera Farmiga and Jada Pinkett Smith. The film is a remake of the French film “Force majeure”.
The issue of the morality of the three men and their drug use is barely addressed at all, but we do get an additional message about the role and the responsibility of the media thrown into the mix.Loved It! - devon1975
Gripping film. Watching this 10 full years after it was released. It was a hidden gem. This was the first time I have seen Vince Vaughn in a dramatic role. Unbelievable. The story grips you from the beginning. You must watch until the end just to find out what these characters will do. Beautiful acting from the three leads. Thank you for this film! I will be sharing with my friends.
Member Reviews
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so disappointed - snickerdoodle
I have finished watching the first hour of this movie, which I was so looking forward to after reading the raving reviews - I am wondering whether or not I can be bothered to go back and watch the rest - am I watching the same movie that these people who wrote ...Interesting Moral Question - Gregg
Three young American men meet up and together enjoy a last fling in Malaysia before returning home to settle down for the rest of their lives, they enjoy the wonderful climate, the local women and inexpensive local drug supply. Unfortunately, soon after two ...Loved It! - devon1975
Gripping film. Watching this 10 full years after it was released. It was a hidden gem. This was the first time I have seen Vince Vaughn in a dramatic role. Unbelievable. The story grips you from the beginning. You must watch until the end just to find out ...