MovieChat Forums > Return to Paradise (1998) Discussion > What a masterpiece

What a masterpiece

posted 11 years ago by israelx7
4 replies | jump to latest

Who isn't forced to ask themselves..."what would I do?".
Who can watch after they have glibly answered..."well, I'd go back", and then after the remarkably underplayed desperation and nightmarish conditions are presented, has not again asked themselves "am I sure?"

Lewis said, from his side of the rainbow, "I wouldn't have come back for you..." cause he wasn't speaking from Sheriff's side...he couldn't "unknow" what he had now experienced. How perspectives affect our self appraisals. How fear undoes our mettle.
Lewis, the victim. Who learns something of himself.
Sheriff the volunteer, who saves Lewis the victim. And in the process, saves himself.

I would not belong to any club that would have me as a member. G. Marx

[–] PinellasBeachPro 11 years ago

GREAT perspective. I just saw this last night. When Lewis told Sheriff he wouldn't have come back, I found that odd. But you nailed it--Lewis couldn't "unknow", he had experienced that horrible prison, and b/c of that he wouldn't return.

What a powerful ending to this movie. Perhaps I' naieve, and thought the script would play out where everything turns out great. But when the judge got pissed and sustained the death sentence, I was shocked. But Phoenix's performance in those last scenes was absolutely awesome. And when he and Sheriff connected while Lewis had the noose around his neck........wow. Getting chills again just thinking about it.

GREAT MOVIE

[–] Pzachlen 11 years ago

Chills just reading it. Fantastic performances . Highly emotional screenplay.

[–] rumipoet24 11 years ago

Ditto that, lets not forget the soundscore by Mike Mancina that should have gotten at least a nod, would love to know what that amazing piece was in the opening credits, sort of a fusion with of all instruments banjo, percussion & asian female voices, it was so original. All performances were moving, locations & settings , cinematography, this film moved along with the fluidity of life itself or a muddy river in Panang. We all will meet that final end someday, there but fortune go you or i.

"Want to know how to make God Laugh? Tell Her your plans...."

[–] yusef-ghanima 8 years ago

what a focking crap!