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Return To Paradise (1998)
Released By: PolyGram Video Rating: R In Theaters: N/A

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User Reviews

Studio: PolyGram Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Joseph Ruben
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Jada Pinkett-Smith, Joaquin Phoenix, Anne Heche, Vince Vaughn
Published ID: 7785
UPC: 044005827125,
Plot: This remake of Force Majeure (aka Uncontrollable Circumstances), a 1989 film with Alan Bates and Kristin Scott Thomas, recalls the prison plight depicted in Midnight Express (1978). Rambling around Asia, getting high and just having a good time, are three young men -- Sheriff (Vince Vaughn), Lewis (Joaquin Phoenix), and Tony (David Conrad). Sheriff and Tony say goodbye to Lewis, a conscientious Greenpeace activist and nature-lover who stays on to rescue endangered Borneo orangutans. Two years later, Tony is an architect about to marry, and Sheriff has a job driving a limo around New York City. When Beth (Anne Heche) steps into Sheriff's limo, she tells him that she's a lawyer working to save Lewis. He learns that Lewis was arrested by Malaysian authorities, tried as a drug dealer, convicted, and sentenced to death. Sheriff's actions of trashing a borrowed bicycle and casually disposing of 100 grams of hash make him responsible for Lewis's predicament, but does he feel guilty enough to get involved? The execution is only eight days away, but it will not happen if Tony and/or Sheriff return to also serve time -- three years each if both come back, but six years if only one returns. Investigating this story is reporter M.J. Major (Jada Pinkett Smith), who views the situation as an important international news story. Tony readily agrees to go back and save Lewis -- but only if Sheriff also returns with him. Sheriff initially declines, prompting the desperate Beth to find ways to convince him to go. Complicating matters, Sheriff and Beth begin to find they are attracted to each other. Eventually, all fly to Malaysia during the final 24 hours before the execution. Director Joseph Ruben filmed in Hong Kong, Macao, and Thailand, with Malaysian prison interiors shot in Philadelphia. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Haunted forever...

Added 2/28/2009

I will start off by saying there are problems with this movie. The relationships the characters create and build, how fleshed out the characters are, and the pacing, all need some work. But my GOD, does Phoenix give an outstanding performance! If you like him, rent it just for him. I will not give this movie away, but just to mention that Phoenix's expressions, his words, his emotions, are etched into my mind forever. Up there with the best screen performances of all time: F. Murray Abraham in "Amadeus", Jimmy Stewart in "Wonderful Life", Anthony Hopkins in "Lambs", Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice". Not kidding, he's that good.