Return to paradise is a film that's greatest merit is Joaquin Phoenix and Anne Heche who plays a woman desperate to save his life. This film from the director of Dreamscape( a sleeper sci-fi horror film from the 80's) is a morality tale that I think is a no brainer for anyone with a conscience. Vince Vaughn plays man who is nothing short of a total jerk. The story starts with three friends hanging out being yankee party animals. Doing drugs exploiting woman, well all but Joaquin's character who just wants to get stoned and save monkeys from extinction. Vaughn and the other dude leave to go back to being typical Americans and leave a bag of hash with Joaquin.
Vaughn's character goes back to America and lives worthless life unaware that the hash he left was enough to get Lewis(Phoenix) a death sentence. His only hope is for his two friends to return and do there share of the time in jail. The whole reason the police come to bust Phoenix is because Vaughn was too lazy to walk back a bike they had borrowed and wrecked. The owner of the bike sent the police.
So basically Phoenix faces death and his two friends can save his life by doing their time. The story centers around this moral dilemma. The fact that Vince Vaughn's character who caused the whole situation is even unsure to me proves what a asshole he is.
This is a early performance for Phoenix to show off that some of the brilliant and natural acting talent his brother River had runs in the family. It is the most powerful aspect of he film for me.
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Anne Hece does turns in a powerful performance as well ,but her falling in love with sheriff when she does is plain stupid. To me it seems like an excuse for sex scenes. To have nudity or something. How much more powerful would have been if there love was not expressed until he was already in prison through the gate. The plot holes are bigger than the hash stash in the film.
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A film worth watching.
Vaughn's character goes back to America and lives worthless life unaware that the hash he left was enough to get Lewis(Phoenix) a death sentence. His only hope is for his two friends to return and do there share of the time in jail. The whole reason the police come to bust Phoenix is because Vaughn was too lazy to walk back a bike they had borrowed and wrecked. The owner of the bike sent the police.
So basically Phoenix faces death and his two friends can save his life by doing their time. The story centers around this moral dilemma. The fact that Vince Vaughn's character who caused the whole situation is even unsure to me proves what a asshole he is.
This is a early performance for Phoenix to show off that some of the brilliant and natural acting talent his brother River had runs in the family. It is the most powerful aspect of he film for me.
********* major Spoilers*********
Anne Hece does turns in a powerful performance as well ,but her falling in love with sheriff when she does is plain stupid. To me it seems like an excuse for sex scenes. To have nudity or something. How much more powerful would have been if there love was not expressed until he was already in prison through the gate. The plot holes are bigger than the hash stash in the film.
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A film worth watching.