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Return to Paradise (1998)

R  111 min  -  Drama | Romance | Thriller   -  14 August 1998 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 7,465 users   Metascore: 54/100 
Reviews: 119 user | 62 critic | 22 from Metacritic.com

Two friends must choose whether to help a third friend who was arrested in Malaysia for drug possession.

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writers:

Pierre Jolivet (motion picture Force Majeure), Olivier Schatzky (motion picture Force Majeure), and 2 more credits »
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2 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vince Vaughn ...
Anne Heche ...
Joaquin Phoenix ...
Lewis McBride
David Conrad ...
Tony Croft
Vera Farmiga ...
Kerrie
Nick Sandow Nick Sandow ...
Ravitch
Jada Pinkett Smith ...
M.J. Major
Ming Lee Ming Lee ...
Mr. Chandran
Joel de la Fuente ...
Mr. Doramin
Richard Chang ...
Prosecutor
James McCauley ...
Famous Divorce Lawyer (as James Michael McCauley)
Brettanya Friese Brettanya Friese ...
Young Woman in Limo
Deanna Yusoff ...
Woman in Bar
David Zayas ...
Construction Foreman
Amy Wong Amy Wong ...
Ticket Agent (as Amy Wong)
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Storyline

Three friends share an exciting vacation in Malaysia, full of fun, drinks, women and hash. When the vacation is over, each have dreams of continuing their lives, and they all go their separate ways. One of them (Phoenix) remains on the tropical paradise to fulfill a dream of working with apes for research. Two years later, a lawyer (Heche) comes to New York and hunts down the other two friends to give some sad news. A few days after they left the island, police raided their camp and found amazingly large quantities of hash left about. Phoenix was still residing there, so he had to take the blame. He is set to be put to death in 8 days, and the only way the charges can be decreased is if the two friends come back to paradise and take their share of the responsibilty. If they do, they both will spend three years in prison. If only one does, he will spend six years behind bars... Written by R.P. Falvey  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

New York | Vacation | Prison | Drug Possession | Drugs  | See more »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug content, some sexuality and a scene of violence See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

All for One See more »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,465,129 (USA) (16 August 1998) (965 Screens)

Gross:

$8,288,513 (USA) (27 September 1998)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

Quotes

Sheriff: Should I beware of lawyers bearing gifts?
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Crazy Credits

In memory of DANNY ARNOLD
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Connections

References Midnight Express (1978) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Courtship"
Written by Benny Carter
Performed by Kenny Barron, Roy Drummond and Ben Riley See more »