"Paradise Road," an inspirational story about a group of women who survived three years in a Japanese POW camp, made only one mistake. It came out within a year of "The English Patient."
The two movies are very similar, not in their plot, but their messages. "The English Patient" is one of the most powerful anti-war messages ever filmed. "Paradise Road" attepts to have the same effect on the audience, but lacks the emotional impact of "Patient."
"Paradise Road" lacks contrast. Almost all of the story is told from a single Japanse POW camp in Sumatra, and even the backdrop there changed little from scene to scene. The camp is portrayed as evil, but after years of Holocause shock film, it doesn't seem quite so bad.
I don't want to come across as if I hated the film. I didn't. It simply tried to do too much and say too much for the story to carry.
Here's the story: Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, dozens of non-Asian women (British, American and Australian, among others) are on an allied ship fleeing an occupied city. Their ship sinks off the coast of Sumatra and the women eventually are reunited at a Japanese POW camp.
As might be expected, treatment at the camp is less than ideal. To raise spirits, Adrienne (Glenn Close) and Daisy (Pauline Collins) organize a "vocal orchestra" among the inmates. Before long, the choir is receive wonderfully. It not only brings together the inmates, but also creates a compassion between the inmates and the Asian guards.
The theme of transcending race and nationality in a time of war is truly inspiring when done well. Unfortunately, "Paradise Road" focuses too much on the choir itself, and an ultimately happy ending.
In comparison, "The English Patient" didn't concern itself with a happy ending. Its inspiration came mostly through the suffering and redemption of the main characters. "Paradise Road" needed another half hour to reach that point.
Despite its flaws, "Paradise" had its moments. The most profound are the performances of the vocal orchestra. Director Bruce Beresford made an excellent decision choosing a basic arrangement of Dvorak's "New World" symphony for the film. No matter what is happening on-screen, that performance will be inspiring.
Other memorable scenes depict the most brutal of the guards softening up while listening to the choir, and one guard actually trying out for the group.
"Paradise Road" is close to being a brilliant film. Unfortunately, it fell victim to Hollywood stereotypes and expectations for happy endings, formulaic storylines, and big name actors. I feel bad saying this about such great actresses, but I had a hard time accepting close and Julianna Margulies as having anything to do with a prison camp during World War II.
In addition, Close plays a confusing character in a confusing way. Her character, Adrienne, initally had a very hard time with prison, but seemed to overcome her difficulties whenever the plot required it. I think this is more a failing of the actress than the film.
The supporting cast, however, is quite strong. Collins, as the driving force behind the choir, is truly inspirational. Her death late in the film is one of the most emotional moments "Paradise" can muster.
Margulies, in a role much too small for her talent, is memorable as well.
"Paradise Road" failed for all the reasons that "The English Patient" triumphed. This movie was too simple for the extremely compex subject matter it presented. It is a rare two-hour movie that can communicate such emotional ideas; "Paradise Road" isn't one of them.
Grade: C+