Storyline
Lewis, Sheriff and Tony are three friends vacationing in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually leave to pursue careers in New York, but Lewis stays behind to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that, because of their past actions, Lewis has been arrested for drug possession. With Lewis facing a death sentence, the friends are left with a difficult decision: return to Malaysia and split Lewis' sentence, or let him die.
Directors
Cast
Trailer
Reviews
88
The director, Joseph Ruben ("The Stepfather," "Sleeping With the Enemy"), uses a kind of flat, logical storytelling that leads us inexorably toward his conclusions.
80
Return to Paradise doesn't boast many surprises. It's straight-on, morally uncomplicated. Emotionally, though, it's dense and twisty -- and smashingly potent.
75
ReelViews
The film's ending is a little unanticipated, and, although there are a few too many surprise revelations in the last 20 minutes, they all work reasonably well to enhance, rather than diminish, the central theme.
75
A potential problem with the movie is that it can be a challenge watching people hand-wringing over moral decisions. But the acting is so good that it makes it worth sticking with during the slow patches.
75
This movie has a first-rate script, and director Joseph Ruben ( "True Believer," "The Stepfather" ) knew exactly what to do with it.
Other Movies You Might Enjoy
Oct 8, Oct 2015Baires (2015)
Sep 30, Sep 2005The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
Aug 2, Aug 20132 Guns (2013)
Nov 3, Nov 2017Most Beautiful Island (2017)
Jun 14, Jun 2004Ladies in Lavender (2004)
Jan 30, Jan 2026The Keeper of the Camphor Tree (2026)
Mar 5, Mar 2014300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Jun 14, Jun 1972Boxcar Bertha (1972)