Really Surprised!

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

it's a great movie,i enjoy to watch it and Don Johnson is a great actor and he's still my favorites i been a fan a long time, and that not gonna chance, i hope that can see his new movie,berry soon moon-dance Alexander so for you and all the fans off Don Johnson i hope that he's also ferry happy that he have Manny great fans stuck and still faithfully and i'm looking for his new song-album too so faithful to him,i now that his passion is singingand he never let his fans down.So what can i say more,that great fans off him will understand my point off viewgreetings to all,katia

This movie is one of my favorites. When I came to see it I was by no means expecting a movie that would capture and inspire me the way 'Paradise' actually did.As with many other extraordinary movies, both the plot and the actors have managed to leave a lasting impression on my mind.First of all, the four protagonists of the story are simply wonderfully cast. There is hardly any movie in which the main characters manage to interact in a more sophisticated and authentic manner as in this one. Elijah Wood as young Willard has a gift of working so impressively with facial expressions and has genuine, very subtle acting skills that allow him to act as if he would not act. He has acquired a level of acting many average actor never attain in their entire lives. Willard is very much an outcast figure, with a strained mother, bullied at school and somehow too smart to be a normal kid. Now he has to spend the summer on the countryside, in a sleepy fishing village with the Reeds family.The Reeds are played by Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. They portray a couple that has to live with a deep scar, a huge burden of the past, which gradually destroys their relationship. Now in real life, the two of them were married twice – and actually married during the shooting, which adds a very spicy element to the movie itself. Their private relationship might have had some sort of influence on their acting performances, and maybe this aspect caused the tremendously strong quality of the interactive scenes between the two of them.Now as Willard enters into the lives of the Reeds, their problems resurface and the friction intensifies as both of them discover a very honest affection towards the charming boy. This is an affection that makes the old wounds hurt and leads to an emotional climax that is simply one of the finest I have ever seen in a movie like this one which is not primarily arranged as a real-life drama, but rather meant to provide some light entertainment.The Reeds' painful struggle with their past's legacy is the strongest aspect of the movie, and as stated above, brilliantly elaborated on. Elijah's adventures with Thora Birch, the fourth main character, makes up the second major theme of 'Paradise', a theme that has much more light-heartedness and is both funny and sweet in the most positive aspect of the word. They discover the bonds of friendship and experience the inspiring magic of one summer in Paradise.The storyline, based on the French production 'Le Grand Chemin', is very sophisticated and convincingly transformed. Willard has to face challenges and the hardships of life, he learns lessons and has to proof his courage and character more than once. The movie features outstanding character portrayals and profound emotions which pervade the atmosphere and make you identify with the protagonists as if you were there and knew them – an incredible accomplishment. I fell in love with it at the first glance, and it truly deserves a solid 9, if not a 10.

Surprisingly good. The cinematography and screenplay were excellent. Griffith played the role beautifully as did Don Johnson. This was the only movie that I liked both actors in. Elijah Wood's best performance too. This movie should have been nominated for many awards. It isn't often that the screenplay, acting, setting and theme come together so poignantly and effectively. I'd give this movie a 10.

Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Elijah Wood, Thora Birch, and Sheila McCarthy star in this beautiful movie on how love can come through the most horrible of situations. Ben and Lily Reed (Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith) are a couple that have lost the spark in their marriage since their young son died. When a friend of Lily's asks that they watch him over the summer Lily agrees. Willard (Elijah Wood) is the loving child who starts to forge friendships with both Ben and Lily. This movie is truly wonderful. Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith give outstanding performances in this funny, touching, and wonderful film.