Return to Paradise (1998)
Directed by: Joseph Ruben, Written by: Pierre Jolivet, Olivier Schatzky & Wesley Strick, Starring: Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche & Joaquin Phoenix
Sheriff (Vince Vaughn): I see you Lewis! I see you!
*No spoilers*
When I think of the best movie that no one’s ever seen, I always think of Return to Paradise. I have loved this gem since my dad and I trauma-bonded over it together around the time it was released. It was the reason I joined the Amnesty International Youth Activist Program when I was a teenager. I remember scouring the Internet (early days) to find this film on DVD, which I did, on eBay, for $3.49. I even recall that the case was thinner than regular DVDs, which made me think it had most likely come from in or around the place where half of this movie is set – Malaysia.
I’ve only seen this film a handful of times, because just reading the above quote brings tears to my eyes. As I prepare to watch it again after getting the bones of this post down, I do so with trepidation, especially considering my period is due any day now.
There are so many aspects I love about this movie, no less it’s exploration of several themes, including travel-gone-wrong, moral dilemma, and how the media almost always plays a negative role when it comes to the outcome of foreign negotiations. Certainly one of the aspects I love most about this film includes Vince Vaughn, and the way each of his characters embody his je ne sais quoi, which I find consistently endearing. (Does anyone not like Vince Vaughn?). I promise I don’t love this movie because I love Vince Vaughn, I love Vince Vaughn because I love this movie.
That’s probably enough about Vince Vaughn. I’m also sick of typing his name.
Vince Vaughn (argh!) plays cheeky asshole, Sheriff, who, along with the straighter, college grad, Tony (David Conrad), are enjoying a trip in Penang, Malaysia.
Whilst there, they meet Lewis, played by a pre-Gladiator Joaquin Phoenix, the “long-haired, Greenpeace, tree-hugger guy,” you likely meet in a south-east Asian country, and the three form a vacation bond, fuelled by cheap beer, cheap drugs, and cheap women.
Two years after the trip, now merely fond memories of hedonistic good times, lawyer Beth (Anne Heche), shows up to inform both men that Lewis was caught with the hash they’d leftover for him as a parting gift. The amount he was caught with dictated a drug trafficking charge in Malaysia, for which Lewis had since been serving time for in the kind of Asian prison you’d see on ‘Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons.’
Beth informs the two men that his crime is punishable by death, which will be enacted in 8 days, and that if they each admit to their share of the possession of hashish, they’ll save Lewis’ life. But by admitting to the crime, each of the men will need to serve 3 years inside a prison worthy of documentary footage.
This movie essentially poses a spin on a classic dinner party question, that I’m sure most of us sitting on our pedestal atop our moral high ground would instantly answer; “Of course I’d do it to save a friend’s life. No question.”
I would love to talk about the entire plot of this film, but I really want you to somehow find and watch it. (My thin DVD is unfortunately in a box in my mum’s roof.)
One thing I can speak to, is the subtle but imperative portrayal of the role of media in this film. The movie intelligently highlights the negative impacts of bullying an Eastern country to submit to Western ideals. Reporter M.J., played by Jada Pinkett-Smith, is continually pushing for the story; willing to highlight atrocities and pull at heart strings, but all at the expense of the people involved. It’s similar to today’s poverty porn news stories, and an example of moral grandstanding in the context of saviourism. “Look how bad these people are, and aren’t we so shocked and horrified, but won’t this story be so much better if we get them to prove our point?” The media were gross 20 years ago, and they’re just as gross now. That’s depressing.
The culmination of this film is thrilling and intense. It remains one of the most poignant scenes I’ve ever witnessed, and it has stayed with me all these years since. Joaquin Phoenix’s character portrayal gives insight into the incredible actor he goes on to become, Heche in her Ellen-years is wonderful, and once again, I am advocating for Vince Vaughn to please do more dramatic roles!
You will not be able to watch Return to Paradise and refrain from talking about it afterwards, so I encourage you to watch this with at least one other person. Also tissues.
And to maybe ponder the question; ‘Would you trade 3 years of your life for someone you connected with on vacation?’
I’m not sure what my answer would be.
Omg! I just watched the movie. It was soooo good. So many twists. But now I loathe Jada Pickett Smith even more than before.
Purrrrrfect. Im actually in Asia chillling with a friend and looking for a good movie. It seems like the quality of films currently has gone down hill. So these oldies still have soul