Come See the Paradise (1990)

Director:

Alan Parker

Writer (WGA):

Alan Parker (written by)

Release Date:

January 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance | War

Tagline:

In 1942, over 100,000 Americans were interned in prison camps.....In America.

Plot:

Portraying one of the shadier details of American history, this is the story of Jack McGurn, who comes to Los Angeles in 1936...

Plot Keywords:

Japanese | Love | Urinal | Movie Projector | Picket

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Dennis Quaid	...	Jack McGurn
Tamlyn Tomita	...	Lily Yuriko Kawamura / McGann
Sab Shimono	...	Hiroshi Kawamura
Shizuko Hoshi	...	Mrs. Kawamura
Stan Egi	...	Charlie Kawamura
Ronald Yamamoto	...	Harry Kawamura
Akemi Nishino	...	Dulcie Kawamura
Naomi Nakano	...	Joyce Kawamura
Brady Tsurutani	...	Frankie Kawamura
Elizabeth Gilliam	...	Younger Mini McGann
Shyree Mezick	...	Middle Mini McGann
Caroline Junko King	...	Older Mini McGann
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Augie Farrell
Colm Meaney	...	Gerry McGurn
Becky Ann Baker	...	Marge McGurn

Runtime:

138 min | 133 min (FMC Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Oregon, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the destroying Japanese businesses scene, the "I am an American" sign is printed as if from a professional printers.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Older Mini McGann: Why are we so early?
Lily Yuriko Kawamura: It's good to early.
Older Mini McGann: Do you ever worry that you won't recognize him, Mama?
Lily Yuriko Kawamura: You recgnize me, don't you?
Older Mini McGann: Well, he might have grown a beard or a moustache or something. And I was so little. I only think I remember him. Do you think he'll remember me?
Lily Yuriko Kawamura: Well, he has all your photographs and all the letters you wrote him, and he has all your school reports
Older Mini McGann: You sent him my school reports?
Lily Yuriko Kawamura: Of course I did. I wanted to let him know how well you were doing. Come on, now. I got some tea and rice cakes here. We'll have a nice talk while we're walking, okay? Let's go.
Older Mini McGann: How far do we have to walk?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "SexTV: Dragon Ladies & Kung-Fu Masters: Re-Constructing Asian American Sexualty (#6.30)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Hail to California

Don't simply accept the Face Page description-see for yourself

The "Front-Page" review of this film gives the impression that it is not worth seeing "because the plot is wandering" and other unfair accusations. Instead, take a look at Roger Ebert's fine review under the External review portion of IMDb. I first purchased this film back in the days of the Laser Disc, and I know that my "ancient by today's standards" Pioneer player....and perhaps I'm in violation of copyright laws, but I am transferring all my laser discs to DVD, and I cannot possibly think of a finer film to witness the discriminatory laws that existed during the early days of WWII....even if the focus is on an Irish-American played by Dennis Quaid....and you must see the early scene in which he dances/sings to a Japanese song that he has memorized by his position as Projectionist in a Japanese-American theatre in San Francisco. And for those who might enjoy a Jarre/Barry type film score, this one is haunting and lovely. Ignore the reviewer and give this terrific film a chance, and I'll bet you'll love it.