IMDb > Return to Paradise (1998)
Return to Paradise
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Return to Paradise (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 48 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Return to Paradise (1998) -- Two friends must choose whether to help a third friend who was arrested in Malaysia for drug possession.
Return to Paradise (1998) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   6,021 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writers (WGA):

Pierre Jolivet (motion picture Force Majeure) and
Olivier Schatzky (motion picture Force Majeure) ...
more

Contact:

View company contact information for Return to Paradise on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

14 August 1998 (USA) more

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller more

Tagline:

Give up three years of their lives or give up the life of their friend. They have eight days to decide.

Plot:

Two friends must choose whether to help a third friend who was arrested in Malaysia for drug possession. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

2 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(9 articles)

10 Reasons Vince Is No Fun Anymore
 (From newser. 20 October 2009, 8:55 AM, PDT)

Paul Ws Anderson Directing The Three Musketeers 3-D
 (From Worst Previews. 2 September 2009, 5:00 PM, PDT)

User Comments:

Why didn't this film get any Oscar nominations?? more (115 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Vince Vaughn ... John 'Sheriff' Volgecherev

Anne Heche ... Beth Eastern

Joaquin Phoenix ... Lewis McBride
David Conrad ... Tony Croft

Vera Farmiga ... Kerrie
Nick Sandow ... Ravitch

Jada Pinkett Smith ... M.J. Major
Ming Lee ... Mr. Chandran

Joel de la Fuente ... Mr. Doramin

Richard Chang ... Prosecutor

James Michael McCauley ... Famous Divorce Lawyer
Brettanya Friese ... Young Woman in Limo

Deanna Yusoff ... Woman in Bar

David Zayas ... Construction Foreman
Amy Wong ... Ticket Agent (as Amy Wong)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:

A Long Way to Paradise (USA) (working title)
All for One (USA) (alternative title)
Force Majeure (USA) (working title)
more

MPAA:

Rated R for language, drug content, some sexuality and a scene of violence.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Cuba Gooding Jr. turned down the role of Tony the architect. more

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Long opening series of street scenes, local "color", was obviously filmed in Buddhist Thailand, complete with saffron-robed monks and red-green-gold Thai temples - Malaysia (population has 30 % non-Muslim minorities) doesn't have go-go bars or obvious brothels unlike Thailand). more

Quotes:

Sheriff: You'd take 3 years from me but you wouldn't take my word? more

Movie Connections:

Remake of Force majeure (1989) more

Soundtrack:

Sonata In F Minor more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Why didn't this film get any Oscar nominations??, 19 July 2002
9/10
Author: spaceboy_a from Sydney

'Return to Paradise' is one of the most underrated films of the last few years. It deserved at least three Oscar nominations. Best actress: Anne Heche, Best supporting actor: Joaquin Phoenix and best original score: Mark Mancina. Was it because this wasn't a big studio film that it was robbed of these nominations? After reading other reviews, other people feel the same way. Even some Golden Globe nods would have been warrented.

This film wasn't released at the theaters here in Australia and went straight onto video and I understand it was a flop in the states cause most people were busy paying money to see the regular trash that comes out of Hollywood. This is a shame cause I would have made the effort to see it a couple of times at the cinema.

Anne Heche (Psycho) gave such an amazing performance in the film (maybe the performance of her career), my heart was aching at the end for her and the rest of the cast including Vince Vaughn (Psycho), David Conrad (Men of Honor), Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator) and Jada Pinket Smith (Scream 2) who you'll hate once the movie's over as she's pretty good as the bitchy/power hungry journalist are all so convincing in their roles.

Everyone should have a pretty good idea of what the plot involves but even if it isn't your cup of tea, the film is worth seeing for the performances which unfortunately have pretty much gone unrecognized. Check it out. Score: 9 out of 10

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more (115 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Return to Paradise (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Cry your eyes out? FoolOntheHill42
True Story? Freaky66
One of the most powerful and sad scenes I've seen (Spoilers) hopls
Destiny or Karma linkinusa
So... was Beth (Ann) really a lawyer? (Spoiler) scs-6
Is this a true story? abstract848
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