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IMDbPro

Come See the Paradise

  • 19901990
  • 18+18+
  • 2h 18m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
35 Photos
DramaRomanceWar
The passionate romance between an Irish-American man and a Japanese-American woman is threatened when the Pearl Harbor attacks happen and the woman is forced into a prison camp because of he... Read allThe passionate romance between an Irish-American man and a Japanese-American woman is threatened when the Pearl Harbor attacks happen and the woman is forced into a prison camp because of her ethnicity.The passionate romance between an Irish-American man and a Japanese-American woman is threatened when the Pearl Harbor attacks happen and the woman is forced into a prison camp because of her ethnicity.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
    • Alan Parker
    • Alan Parker
  • Stars
    • Dennis Quaid
    • Tamlyn Tomita
    • Sab Shimono
    • Alan Parker
    • Alan Parker
  • Stars
    • Dennis Quaid
    • Tamlyn Tomita
    • Sab Shimono
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Come See The Paradise
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Come See The Paradise

    Photos35

    Dennis Quaid in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)
    Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita in Come See the Paradise (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dennis Quaid
    Dennis Quaid
    • Jack McGurn
    Tamlyn Tomita
    Tamlyn Tomita
    • Lily Yuriko Kawamura…
    Sab Shimono
    Sab Shimono
    • Hiroshi Kawamura
    Shizuko Hoshi
    Shizuko Hoshi
    • Mrs. Kawamura
    Stan Egi
    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
    Shyree Mezick
    • Middle Mini McGann
    Caroline Junko King
    Caroline Junko King
    • Older Mini McGann
    Pruitt Taylor Vince
    Pruitt Taylor Vince
    • Augie Farrell
    Colm Meaney
    Colm Meaney
    • Gerry McGurn
    Becky Ann Baker
    Becky Ann Baker
    • Marge McGurn
    John Finnegan
    John Finnegan
    • Brennan
    Takamuro Ikeguchi
    • Mr. Fujiuka
    Danny Kamekona
    Danny Kamekona
    • Mr. Nishikawa
      • Alan Parker
      • Alan Parker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie ranks at the No. #1 spot on the top 10 list of most Oscar-bait movies ever made according to research by UCLA sociologists Gabriel Rossman and Oliver Schilke. According to website 'Wikipedia', this movie is "the most deliberate example of Oscar bait in their study of 3,000 films released since 1985. The identification is based on various elements calculated to be likely to draw Oscar nominations, including the previous nominations of [Alan] Parker, the film's setting in Hollywood (including Quaid's projectionist character), and its depiction of a tragic historical event against the background of war and racism. It was only released in a few cities during the last week of that year to make it eligible for the awards. However, it was not nominated for any Oscars and failed at the box office".
    • Goofs
      During the destroying Japanese businesses scene, the "I am an American" sign is printed as if from a professional printers, however, it's entirely possible that people had signs professionally printed.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Older Mini McGann: Why are we so early?

      Lily Yuriko Kawamura: It's good to be early.

      Older Mini McGann: Do you ever worry that you won't recognize him, Mama?

      Lily Yuriko Kawamura: You recognize 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?

      Lily Yuriko Kawamura: Not far.

      Older Mini McGann: If we have so much time, then why are you walking so fast? I shouldn't have worn these new shoes. I think I have a blister. Mama!

      [speaks in Japanese]

      Lily Yuriko Kawamura: [replies in Japanese] Try not to think about it. You want to look pretty, don't you?

      Older Mini McGann: Can we talk about Papa?

      Lily Yuriko Kawamura: Okay.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Godfather Part III/Kindergarten Cop/The Bonfire of the Vanities/The Russia House (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Kawamura Family Theme
      Written by Jake Parker and Alan Parker

    User reviews40

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    One of Alan Parker's most beautiful films
    "Come See The Paradise" is a forgotten gem of a film that takes place during one of the United States' darkest and most shameful times. At the onset of World War II, Japanese-Americans were put into internment camps This injustice lasted for several years. Alan Parker's fictional film takes place before, during and after this time. It tells the story of Jack McGurn (Dennis Quaid), an Irish-American labor organizer who falls in love with Lily Kawamura (Tamlyn Tomita), a young girl who lives with her large family in San Fransisco. Lily's father (Sab Shimono) does not agree with the romance, which forces Jack and Lily to elope in Seattle. Jack gets into some trouble with the law while picketing, and Lily, angry that Jack has not changed his ways since the birth of their daughter, Mini, takes the child back to her family's house. Soon after, Pearl Harbor is bombed, the Kawamuras are shuttled off to various camps (except Mr. Kawamura who is believed to be a traitor), and Jack is forced into the army.

    Like many films, "Come See The Paradise" is about the strength of love. The fact that it uses this period as a backdrop sets it apart from the rest. The chemistry between Quaid and Tomita is amazing. Just watch them together when they meet for the first time and they kiss. It's simply stunning. Quaid has rarely been this good, and Tomita is obviously relishing having a lead role. In most of her films she's listed as "(somebody's) wife". Films like this and "The Joy Luck Club" prove that she is one of the most talented and under-used actresses.

    Some have complained that this film uses an "American" character to tell the story of a "Japanese" family. As if any non-Japanese audience members would not be able to understand, or relate to, the Japanese family. The Quaid character is called "un-American" because of his labor rights stance. The family is called "un-American" simply because they are of Japanese descent. Even though the children were born in the United States. So what exactly does it mean to be "un-American"?

    Side note: this movie has not been released on DVD. I anxiously await that day.
    helpful•43
    5
    • CherokeeJack3000
    • Jan 23, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1991 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Portland, Oregon, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 18 minutes
      • Color

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