CLUB PARADISE

US, 1986, 104 minutes, Colour.
Robin Williams, Peter O'Toole, Rick Moranis, Jimmy Cliff, Twiggy, Joanna Cassidy, Adolph Caesar, Eugene Levy.
Directed by Harold Ramis.

Club Paradise is a mild comedy vehicle for Robin Williams. The film has an interesting supporting cast ranging from Peter O'Toole and Twiggy to Rick Moranis and Eugene Levy. The film is reminiscent of another Caribbean story: Water, with Michael Caine and Valerie Perrine.

The film shows the tropic islands of the travel brochures, something of the reality - including local corruption, civil war, the British governor. It also pokes fun at American tourists.

The film might have been much funnier, given the talent involved. However, it is an average time-passer. Direction is by comedian Harold Ramis.

1.Enjoyable comedy? Satire?

2.Chicago locations, the fire department? The contrast with the Caribbean, the islands and the sea, accommodation? Stunts and special effects? The musical score - and Jimmy Cliff and the reggae music?

3.The title, reference to holidays and tourist packages? The ironies?

4.The opening with Chicago, the fires? Jack and his work, heroism, injury, pension, retirement? His discovery of the Caribbean?

5.Jack on the island, his isolated life, interaction with Ernest, with the Governor-General? Meeting Philippa and Toby? The politics of the island? His wanting to keep out of things? The tourism, the possibilities of renovating the hotel, the possible tourist attraction? His energy? The photos, the brochure? Preparations for the first tourists?

6.The background of the island: the Caribbean, the mayor and his corrupt politics and pressure? Ernest and his club, the music? The tourists and the entertainment? The governor and his very British style? In retirement?

7.The brochure, the variety of tourist responses? The plans to come to Club Paradise? The assembling of the tourists? The flight and the blind-flying pilot, the crash-landing? The reaction of the tourists? Their expectations, carrying their cases, trudging along the sand? The accommodation - the angled photos of the rooms and their reality? Dissatisfaction? The need for a shower - Linda and its not working, then being deluged? The beach, the tourists? The club and the music? Jack and his response, his busyness in making everybody happy?

8.The wheeling and dealing, the entertainment, the beaches, the dancing, the meals? The reporter and her looking askance at what was going on? The background of the local politics, the preparation for the uprising?

9.The tourists: Philippa and Toby, her style, his being uptight? Her friendship with Jack, romantic touches, Toby's reaction? The womanising American men, on the beach, ogling the girls? The two girls and their being on the lookout for men, their approach, rejection? The two beach boys and their style? The poking fun at expectations about holidays and beach resorts and relationships? Randy and his wife, their differences, her demanding expectations, cajoling Jack? The comedy of the shower? Their finding each other again, romance? The pilot and his poor performance?

10.The New York travel writer, her background, arriving on the island, looking askance? Friendship with Jack? Encounters with the governor, friendship, romantic touches? Her observations?

11.Ernest, his place on the island, his place, the music, friendship with Jack, tourist ambitions? His involvement in the politics?

12.The build-up to the confrontation, the battle, the governor and his very British participation? The ironies about small wars on small islands? The establishing of peace? The island being truly Club Paradise?

13.The elements of comedy, farce, satire and spoof?