I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

"Return to Paradise" (1998) is about three Americans in Malaysia. Two of them are friends from New York City (Vincent Vaughn and David Conrad) and the other they meet there, an environmental-hippie type (Joaquin Phoenix). The three have a great time partying together and then the two from New York go back to the grind in the USA. Two years later they find out that their friend in Malaysia has been in prison for having too much hashish, which the three purchased together. Due to the country's severe drug laws, those considered traffickers are put to death and, unfortunately, the hippie possessed beyond the limit. He'll hang in eight days unless the other two go back and they'll all get 3 years in prison; if only one goes back it's 6 years each. Will they go back? That's the set-up of the film and it's not a spoiler since this all unfolds in the first 20 minutes, which means that most of the rest of the movie takes place in New York and focuses on whether or not the other two will go back and save their friend. Keep in mind that this was a dude they met in Malaysia so it's not like they were bosom buddies from their youth or anything.The trailer of "Return to Paradise" miss-advertised the film as a thriller largely taking place in exotic SE Asia, but that's not the case. This is a drama that involves a moral conundrum, a Christ figure and possible redemption. The story concentrates on Vaughn and Anne Heche, the latter as the lawyer of the hippie who tries to convince the other two to go back to save their friend. Complicating the situation even further is the fact that there are no legal documents involved since Malaysia is a third world country and, as such, there's no guarantee that the two will "only" get three years. And what about the other potential negative possibilities, like never making it out of the hellhole alive? This is a top of the line film and the producers went all-out to serve up a quality picture; for instance, the Malaysian prison scenes are very convincing. Also, the actors are great across the board and Vaughn proves that he can nail a dramatic role. Moreover the moral is to die for, no pun intended. Unfortunately the actors are strapped to the contrivances of the plot and I had a hard time seeing them as real people in a real situation. In other words, it seemed like the characters do this-or-that merely because the screenplay says he or she is supposed to do this-or-that at that moment. And so I was never really able to embrace them as real people, but rather as puppets manipulated by the script. Still, it's not bad and it's worth catching if you like the actors and the story trips your trigger.The film runs 111 minutes and was shot in New York City, Thailand, New Jersey, Philadelphia and China.GRADE: C+

"Return to Paradise" was a 1998 film that was sadly over-turned that it quickly became a forgotten gem, which was quite sad because it was different from the easy-going junk that's been tossed down from us over the recent years. The story was packed with punch and the acting was equally subliminal. The low box office sales for this movie should not come as quite a shocker because it's one of those sporadic movies that refrain from walking out of the theatre lightly and it is a far cry from influx of escapist movies that Hollywood is noted for.Film, much like art represents the way of life, therefore, films based on more serious content should be out more in the open, even more for those who could handle, heavy complex subject matters with dignity and consideration. Three friends (Vince Vaughn, David Conrad and Joaquin Phoenix)take a sabbatical to Malaysia (which contains boozing, drinking and philandering), two return home to New York, while one is left behind as he faces jail time for drug possession the triad used. Not only that, the incarcerated friend is being sentenced to death for his misdemeanor. Feeling that his life is on the line, there is one loophole that could overturn his death penalty. His other three friends must return to Malaysia and serve their prison time for the crime they are personally responsible for. An attorney (played by Anna Heche)persuades the two friends to get them to return and serve their time, even though that's no easy task as neither want to spend years in jail or let alone let his poor friend get hanged.Quite a very touchy subject! But what makes this movie very effective is the execution in how the film was handled. The direction, the performances, the script and the editing was nurtured in a careful and provocative fashion. But the real standout to this recommended film is the moral dilemma that each character is up against succeeds in keeping it real and yet the situation each one faces will not make you envious of them (and that is a good thing too. Who wants to go through what they are up against?)It succeeds in keeping it firm and concrete and never tries to take the easy way out. At the same time it doesn't overwhelm its viewers with becoming preachy or moralistic. The scruples are already there for you and though this movie is a heavy hitter, the viewers feel the metaphoric concrete weight as much as the characters depicted here.Another standout trait "Return to Paradise" offers is that it focuses on are the numerous culture clashing while avoiding any signs of showing and anachronistic traits (like in "Midnight Express" or "The Deer Hunter" among others). It actually succeeds in balancing the story by remaining judicious in every way possible. Sure we have faced many troubled situations where you are caught in an inescapable trap and you cannot get out of it, the film is not very plot oriented, but more leaning towards a debate faced solely on ethics.The acting is very provocative as each character yearns for our sympathy. Joaquin Phoenix shines very nicely as the misfortunate victim who has the most weight placed on him who is also fading out from the exhaustion that was inflicted on him. Anne Heche is wonderful as the attorney who knows her situation is dire and makes the most of time trying to cope with the complicated situation she's facing in this case. The real scene stealer is Vince Vaughn as "Sheriff" and his change from a careless person to a more responsible person is all very real. The characters are all very real people.By the end of the movie, the humanity materializes before our very eyes as Sheriff goes through great lengths by helping out his fallen buddy Lewis (Phoenix), which would expunge all of his other past mistakes and by his helping out his buddy, we see the moral strength Sheriff has deep inside of him."Return to Paradise" stands the test of time as a brilliant movie in all of its hardships and complexities. As a suggestion if you should see another movie, make it lighter movie so that you won't get sadder through every movie you see.

The premise of _RtP_ is excellent, but it got into the mud at some point in its development.Much of the film's failure rests on, yet again, REDUCED CHARACTERS. We watch our Innocent Childlike Victim take the blame for his Aloof Friends comprised of an unfeeling Don Juan and an unfeeling Man With A Future. Desperate (blonde) Victim's Sister and Hungry (black female) Reporter arrive in order to push the plot ahead. All, save Mr. Innocent, are stylishly dressed urbanites. Setting is a Faceless Asian Country Highly Critical of America.Throw in two absolutely unnecessary sex scenes and far too much will-he-won't-he back-and-forth 'suspense' and we got a movie, baby! (The twist at the ending, too, feels Test Audience Approved.) Had _RtP_ been done by a daring director, a hard-boiled writer, and more serious actors, what a film this could have been. As it stands, even the dumb mood music gets in the way. Three out of ten for yet another good idea shot to bits.

This movie was one of the most powerful I have ever seen in terms of presenting the issue of what responsibility each of us has for our actions. It poses the question of whether two young men will return to Malaysia to serve prison terms for the hash purchases they made while on vacation. If they fail to act, the idealistic third member of their group will be executed. The performances by Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, and Joaquin Phoenix are superb.An added dimension is a short scene where the Vince Vaughn character asks his father for guidance on what he should do. Others also provide information and influence in shaping the decision on whether he should go back to Malaysia where jail conditions are so harsh his ability to survive a short term prison sentence is problematic.