Paradise (1991)

Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson (at the time married to each other) play Lily and Ben Reed, a young couple torn apart by a family tragedy. It would take a miracle to rekindle their love ... See full summary »

Director:

Mary Agnes Donoghue

Writer:

Mary Agnes Donoghue (screenplay)

Stars:

Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson, Elijah Wood

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melanie Griffith	...	Lily Reed
Don Johnson	...	Ben Reed
Elijah Wood	...	Willard Young
Thora Birch	...	Billie Pike
Sheila McCarthy	...	Sally Pike
Eve Gordon	...	Rosemary Young
Louise Latham	...	Catherine Reston Lee
Greg Travis	...	Earl McCoy
Sarah Trigger	...	Darlene Pike
Richard K. Olsen	...	Minister
Rick Andosca	...	Ernest Parkett
Anthony Romano	...	Popular Boy
Timothy Erskine	...	Darlene's Boyfriend
Chestley Price	...	Bus Driver
Dave Hager	...	Bartender

Storyline

Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson (at the time married to each other) play Lily and Ben Reed, a young couple torn apart by a family tragedy. It would take a miracle to rekindle their love and a miracle arrives in the form of a summer guest - Willard Young played by Elijah Wood.

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Plot Keywords:

child's point of view | loss of son | female nudity | bare breasts | bullying | 

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Taglines:

It would take a miracle to save their love... and that's just what they got.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Földi paradicsom

Filming Locations:

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$18,634,643

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grand Highway Productions, Interscope Communications, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening bus scene is the city skyline of Cleveland Ohio

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Goofs

In one of final scenes where child actors say goodbye to each other, a glass vase of flowers behind Thora Birch's character keeps appearing and disappearing.

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Quotes

Sally Pike: If I've spent my whole life falling in love with dreams that made my life miserable, then it just goes to follow that a guy I can't stand will make me happy.

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Alternate Versions

Early UK versions were cut by 21 secs and removed shots of the children watching a naked couple caressing in a barn. The cuts were waived in 2003.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood vs. Religion (1994)

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Soundtracks

O.K. MOOD SWING
Written by Prince Poetry and Pharoahe Monch
Performed by Organized Konfusion
Courtesy of Hollywood BASIC

User Reviews

Perceptible drama filmed with sensitivity and feeling

The movie concerns upon a boy(Elijah Wood) is sent by his pregnant mummy to remain the idyllic summer with ancient marriage friends(Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith) in the countryside.The couple has numerous problems originated for unfortunate tragedy for years before.Elijah befriends with his neighbour small girl and takes interest with Don, fishing shrimps and speaking about interesting issues.

It's a brilliant and touching story although sometimes is slow moving and tired but is developed with intelligence and sensibility.In the picture are treated ethics and morals themes narrated with great sense of fairness and ductility.Good Melanie Griffith(at the time wedded to each other until Antonio Banderas) interpretation as an embittered woman who will must to face the traumatic truth.Elijah Wood as sensible boy is nice,he's a newcomer and would have much success years later converting himself in a first wold star(Lord of the rings).Thora Birch is enjoyable ,she is ready as future star(American beauty,the Hole,Ghost world) . Excellent and sensitive score by David Newman.Besides exceptional and awesome cinematography by Jerzy Zielinsky as is reflected on the marvelous outdoors in the country. The motion picture is accurately directed by Mary Agnes Donoghue(Beaches). Rating : Better than average and well worth seeing.