Infamousta brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Peereddi I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

Burkettonhe This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Leoni Haney Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Python Hyena Return to Paradise (1998): Dir: Joseph Ruben / Cast: Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Joaquin Phoenix, Jada Pinkett, David Conrad: Three friends travel to Malaysia and experiment with drugs. Two of them return to New York while the other remains. Two years later they are given word that their friend was caught with drugs and will be hanged in eight days unless they return and accept responsibility with a three year sentence. Directed by Joseph Ruben who brings conviction to the material as well as request viewers to think. This is a big step for a guy who made the laughable Money Train. Vince Vaughn brings soul seeking desperation. Anne Heche is persistent with a secret of her own. One issue that distracts is the romance that develops between Vaughn and Heche, which is standard and unnecessary. Joaquin Phoenix is convincing as a guy who has suffered too long. David Conrad plays the third guy who will be reluctant to make the return especially when family factors in. Jada Pinkett on the other hand displays the media's greed to the point where she is unlikeable. She plays a journalist out for herself and her action bare consequences to innocent people. This is hardly entertaining but its message is driving and final. Beautiful photography highlights a place of overwhelming beauty where three guys find a private paradise turn into their own private hell. Score: 7 ½ / 10

Farid Hamid I found this movie while looking for movies with Joaquin Phoenix in them. At first I thought this could be another made-for-TV movies, but the mention of Malaysia made me look up.The actors are good, with them acting out their roles very well. I thought more exposure should be given to the circumstances of Lewis in prison, the initial trial, and some scenes of him being taken to prison. As the story unfold, I understood that the movie is not so much about Lewis, but more of the inter-play of emotions of Sheriff and Tony, as well as the effort of Beth to convince them to return to Malaysia, to save the life of Lewis.Very straight forward story line, with a little twist towards the end. Overall a good lesson for the young and reckless about the consequence of taking it easy with drugs, especially in a foreign country.No justice done about the conditions in Malaysia, however. The opening scenes are done in Thailand, with bits done with Malaysian actors. The prison looks real shabby, broken down and filthy. The prison guards and the Ministry of Interior would be up for prosecution here in Malaysia if they let the conditions to be that bad.First of all, the guards do speak English, most Malaysians do. The court scene were done in Malay because that's the standard procedure. If the person on trial does not understand Malay, an interpreter would be provided.Secondly, the legal system here would allow appeals and stay of execution if there are new evidence produced. If this is real, Lewis' case would probably be thrown on technical grounds, as there are doubt that the drugs are not entirely his, and not within his control.Treatment of prisoners in Malaysia is far better than that of the common citizen sometimes. A person facing death penalty would be in a special cell, given the best treatment to ensure their calm state of mind. Regular service by the prison priest would be done to help the prisoner come to terms with the inevitable, and to counsel the prisoner. Hanging would NEVER be done in the open, prisoners would be given time to pray, say their goodbyes, meet relatives or friends in a calm manner. Malaysian prison guards are trained to ensure the welfare of the prisoners, prisons well lighted, and clean.I'm sure that if the producers approached the Ministry officials with the proper storyline and intentions, the government would be glad to help get them. For all you know, they may even get some funding for promoting Malaysia from the government.

lorria Joaquin Phoenix should have been nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Lewis in Return to Paradise. How in the world could a performance of that caliber be ignored? The scene where he was being dragged to hang was so real I could barely stand to watch and felt ill when the movie ended. I highly recommend this film and am amazed that it wasn't a huge hit at the box office. All of his past work deserves a second look. I've also recently discovered "Clay Pigeons" which,too, was excellent. Joaquin is destined to be labeled as one of this generations most brilliant actors -- there is absolutely no doubt about it.

miller-jane This movie was one of the most powerful I have ever seen in terms of presenting the issue of what responsibility each of us has for our actions. It poses the question of whether two young men will return to Malaysia to serve prison terms for the hash purchases they made while on vacation. If they fail to act, the idealistic third member of their group will be executed. The performances by Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, and Joaquin Phoenix are superb.An added dimension is a short scene where the Vince Vaughn character asks his father for guidance on what he should do. Others also provide information and influence in shaping the decision on whether he should go back to Malaysia where jail conditions are so harsh his ability to survive a short term prison sentence is problematic.