PARAISO TRAVEL (2008)

Directed By: Simon Brand
Written BY: Jorge Franco Ramos & Juan Randon
Cinematography By: Rafa Lluch
Editor: Albert DeToro

Cast: Raul Castillo, Ana de la Reguera, Angelica Blandon, John Leguizamo


This is a nice modest Indie that tracks a couple from columbia as they enter the united states and settle in new york. the film begins with them having an argument they quickly get seperated and the male tries to look for her while trying to survive in the harsh streets while speaking very little english. The film get's most of it's harrowing drama from the flashbacks of there perilous journey to new york. Where they are tortured, robbed, conned, attacked, raped all just to get into the country. Which does make for a powerful film.

Then n the present time of the film it feels more like a fantasy as the character faces a few hardships but basically is helped out and saved by most of the people he meets. His character is very naieve and gets away with it time and again. That and the third act of the film is where i had major problems with the film.

For instance we never really knpw how old the two lovers are. they appear tobe teens or are treated as such in the columbia scenes i could even go so far as saying they are college students,but then the actors playing the roles no matter how appealing look to be in their mid to late twenties. They try to make her immature by having her repeat the line "Why Don't You go kill yourself" as her comeback for every insult. which after awhile just gets annoying.

The Scenes of him struggling on the streets and forming amakeshift family are the best as they are cruel at times but ultimately heartwarming also. Making you root for him and wanting to see good luck come his way.

(SPOILER)

The third act bothered me because when they are finally reunited. She has done such a character change it makes you wonder about her motives the whole time and it feels unrealistic, not truly earned. I mean The baby issue makes no sense since we don't exactly knopw how long they have been seperated and i don't believe it was that long. Then the only job she can find is the one she does. That just felt far fetched. i know the filmmakers want to shock the audience as much as he is. I just felt it went a bit to far in making her a villian, especially when all of a sudden a rainstorm happens during there reunion making it feel overdramatic. We never find out what were her real reasons, but like him we have grown pastthat and only want to see him go on with his life. it also shows us in the audience how she could seduce him to her will with her femanine wiles.

I also find it interesting how he has a undying love for this woman supposedly but feels free to have sex with a girl who likes him with no qualms.



(SPOILER END)

I'm not going to lie one of the things that helped this movie keep my interest is the attractiveness of most of the female cast.

All in all though it is a good little indie that you have to suspend disbelief to enjoy while it tries to be a hard hitting realistic immigrant drama. Definately a good rental

GRADE: C+