This movie gets three stars for one reason only and that is because of the absolutely gorgeous photography of an area that, according to the script, is Bali and its environs. If you are looking for a comedy you would do better to go back and listen to some radio transcriptions of the Battling Bickersons. The writing and direction, both credited to someone named Ol Parker, who is also responsible for the Exotic Marigold Hotels, is as bland and uninteresting as might be a 2 hour video of you cousin's wedding in Cancun. Julia Roberts, who once could feign interest in a co-star, or a story, or at least a scene or two is totally unable to do so here, and while it is not politic to comment on anyone's appearance these days, she looks absolutely awful and could not have been photographed from more unflattering angles than in all of her previous movies combined. Clooney fares no better really but at least he still has the Clooney look, if you are partial to it. In a nod to "nepo-babies" Billie Lourde does a turn as the "adventurous" best friend of George and Julia's daughter. They go off together to Bali as a reward for successfully navigating four years of college. Kaitlyn Dever, the daughter, did so well that she gets to be a lawyer as soon as she goes back home. The acting of both is as dull as that of the stars. For some reason I get the impression that Lourde had a few scenes left on the cutting room floor, but who knows. This is a disaster from beginning to end. Apparently, both of the principals were out of work at the same time.
Review of Ticket to Paradise
