Postmark Paradise (2000)

The Dirty Shame is the only bar in the small town of Paradise, Michigan. A burnt out, chain-smoking fortyish bar maid is the only waitress at The Dirty Shame. A group of local red necks ... See full summary »

Director:

Thompson E. Clay

Writer:

Dan Slider

Stars:

Tantoo Cardinal, Natalia Nazarova, Vincent Angelini

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Tantoo Cardinal	...	Reenie
Natalia Nazarova	...	Viktoria
Vincent Angelini	...	Jake
Randall Godwin	...	Chick
Dale Inghram	...	Matt
Elmer Cardinal	...	Red Dog
Donald Phelan	...	Bud
Bill Selzer	...	Sweeney
Todd Lewis	...	Merle
Joanee Schreves	...	Beautician
Rocky Rector	...	Photographer (as Richard 'Rocky' Rector)
Anne Marie Schreiber	...	Newscaster

Storyline

The Dirty Shame is the only bar in the small town of Paradise, Michigan. A burnt out, chain-smoking fortyish bar maid is the only waitress at The Dirty Shame. A group of local red necks conspiring to bring a mail order bride to their Midwest town for their ne'er-do-well leader set the story in motion. These red necks trick Viktoria, a beautiful, bright girl from Ukraine, into coming to their town. The fact that her husband-to-be is a yet to be reformed misogynist twice her age, puts a kink in Viktoria's plan to start a new life in America. When Reenie reluctantly takes the new girl in, she discovers Viktoria has no ticket home. Trying to help Viktoria earn her way home, Reenie finds a less than willing pupil in the ways of middle America life. As the two women struggle to overcome barriers in language, culture, age, and life experience, strong bonds of friendship form. As each crafts their respective versions of the American dream, Paradise and those inhabit it, adapt to Viktoria more...

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Plot Keywords:

mail order bride | ukraine | michigan | friendship | fish out of water | 

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Taglines:

The next time these boys import a Russian bride, maybe they'll know what to expect.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 2000 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Freeport, Michigan, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Entertainment Paradise Group, Motion Picture Makers Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scriptwriter, Dan Slider, has a brief cameo in the film, albeit in a photograph. Slider was Rita's "Husband #3", the husband with whom Rita bore a child.

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Soundtracks

"Lost in Another World"
Lyrics and Music by Eric W. Clark
Sung by Natalia Nazarova
Guitar Solos Eric W. Clark
Background Musicians David Williams
Beckey Gregory & Bill Bravata

User Reviews

Mail order bride caper

A small indie on a modest budget, but solid production values, good pacing. This is not really about mail order marriage, the films focus is less on the "bride" and intended groom, more about the small community, some strong character development. I liked it. Tantoo Renee is very convincing as the jaded barmaid with a heart of gold. The supporting actors are believable, the comedy is underplayed and doesn't detract or interfere with the story line.

It would have been so easy for the director to go for a couple of climatic scenes or confrontations, and that he did not is to the films credit. It plays out as it might in real life, with measured ups and downs, no explosions or car chases, just flawed people who we can come to care a about and identify with, growing a little, learning a little.