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Return to Paradise

Play trailer Poster for Return to Paradise R 1998 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Lewis (Joaquin Phoenix), Sheriff (Vince Vaughn) and Tony (David Conrad) are three friends vacationing in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually leave to pursue careers in New York, but Lewis stays behind to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that, because of their past actions, Lewis has been arrested for drug possession. With Lewis facing a death sentence, the friends are left with a difficult decision: return to Malaysia and split Lewis' sentence, or let him die.
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Return to Paradise

Critics Reviews

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Geoff Andrew Time Out 06/24/2006
It's a painful prospect, to be sure, and Sheriff, in particular, insists he's no hero, but the next hour or so of handwringing conjures little suspense. Go to Full Review
Peter Travers Rolling Stone 05/11/2001
What if director Joseph Ruben didn't resort to B-movie suspense tricks? What if the fine cast wasn't saddled with a shamelessly contrived script by Wesley Strick and Bruce Robinson? Go to Full Review
Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times 02/14/2001
2.5/5
If it's to be experienced at all, Return to Paradise is best seen as a lively piece of pulp, not a profound exploration of the vagaries of the human soul. Go to Full Review
Maitland McDonagh TV Guide 10/04/2009
2.5/4
Despite solid performances from the leads, it comes shrouded in a heavy cloud of ethics-class complications that makes it feel like a "dilemma of the week" TV movie. Go to Full Review
Anthony Miele Film Threat 12/06/2005
3.5/5
Vince Vaughn finally gives a performance putting him in the serious actor category, Joaquin Phoenix is notable and Anne Heche is believable as the impassioned attorney fighting for the life of her client. Go to Full Review
Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television 01/24/2005
Involving drama about our responsibilities to others. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Wayne K Feb 13 A little talked about film that packs one Hell of a punch, Return To Paradise has a pretty notable cast and deals with some serious real-world issues, yet I had never heard of it until my wife came across it. I knew about the no-nonsense drug laws common all across Southeast Asia from the time I spent there, and this film brings that fact into very sharp focus. The lynchpin of the film is the relationship between the 3 male leads. The movie gets us to care about them in very short time, and the ups and downs of their friendship is where biggest emotional payoffs are. It’s sad that arguably the nicest of the 3 is the one that ends up in the life-or-death situation, but it just goes to show that anyone can be a victim, regardless of how good they are. What’s great is that while the film presents a lot of interesting moral quandaries and difficult questions, there’s never really a situation where you outright hate a character for the choice they make or oppose it 100%. It all comes from how they, and the audience, view the world. I’m glad I got a chance to see it, and would highly recommend others see it too. Just make sure you have a strong stomach, and a few tissues nearby. See more Kevin P 02/10/2024 This one will evoke several different emotions as you watch See more 04/21/2021 This film is a well acted tale of loyalty and choices. When 3 friends part in Malaysia, one is sentenced to death for drug possession. Back in the states, the other 2 have a choice - to come and reduce his sentence or carry on their own lives. Heche plays the lawyer, love and sibling roles. The plot bogs down in the middle in an attempt to build the relationship between Heche and Vaughan...but it just doesn't work the way it should. See more jay s 02/26/2021 I liked it very much. Life inspired. See more 09/23/2019 To date Joaquin Phoenix's best role and I'm a huge fan of all of his work. The story is so profound and his acting makes it feel so real. Twenty years later it still haunts me in ways no other role has. See more camille l 12/17/2014 Remake de Force Majeure de Pierre Jolivet, Return to Paradise est un drame plutôt bien ficelé construit en deux actes bien distincts, montant crescendo dans l'émotion sans pour autant paraître forcé et manipulateur. Le film de Joseph Ruben a aussi la chance d'avoir Vince Vaughn et Anne Heche dans son casting, les deux étant particulièrement bons dans des rôles un peu casse-gueules. Joaquin Phoenix y fait quelques apparitions remarquées, tandis que la musique de Mark Mancina y est parfaite. Bien meilleur que Brokedown Palace, sur le même thème. See more Read all reviews
Return to Paradise

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Movie Info

Synopsis Lewis (Joaquin Phoenix), Sheriff (Vince Vaughn) and Tony (David Conrad) are three friends vacationing in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually leave to pursue careers in New York, but Lewis stays behind to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that, because of their past actions, Lewis has been arrested for drug possession. With Lewis facing a death sentence, the friends are left with a difficult decision: return to Malaysia and split Lewis' sentence, or let him die.
Director
Joseph Ruben
Producer
Steve Golin, Alain Bernheim
Screenwriter
Pierre Jolivet, Olivier Schatzky, Wesley Strick, Bruce Robinson
Distributor
United Artists, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Polygram
Production Co
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 10, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.3M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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