RETURN TO PARADISE

US, 1998, 107 minutes, Colour.
Vince Vaughan, Anne Heche, Joachim Phoenix, David Conrad.
Directed by Joseph Ruben.

Return to Paradise deals with American tourists and their use of drugs and accusations against dealing. In Thailand and Malaysia in the 1970s and 80s, the law was very strict. There was capital punishment for serious drug offences. This continued in the 90s. There were a number of films and mini-series about real cases in these countries. A number of films also continued with fictional stories, perhaps as warnings for the American public, about the reality of use of drugs in these countries - and Americans taking for granted the use of marijuana, especially, for recreational use.

The film shows three young men in the 80s, enjoying a break from the United States. They have marijuana for their personal use. One of them is an ardent greenie and tries to persuade another to follow him in that career. Vince Vaughan is a happy-go-lucky American student. Joachim Phoenix is the environmentally concerned young man. David Conrad is the third member of the party. After several years, two of the men are visited by a lawyer, played by Anne Heche. She tells them that Lewis has been in prison for three years on drug charges. He is to get the death penalty unless they return to Malaysia and confess to possession and serve three years each. His death sentence will then be revoked.

The film raises the moral dilemma about whether people are prepared to go to prison in order to save a friend from the death penalty. Much of the film has its New York setting where the two men, professing their friendship for Lewis, argue the pros and cons of losing three to six years of their lives. It is also revealed that the lawyer is Lewis's older sister. When they do return to Malaysia in order to give themselves up, the court case is complicated because of harsh articles in the American press. The judge in the court takes a very dim view of this criticism of his country. (The ambitious journalist is played by Jada Pinkett Smith.)

The film is a sobering look at the idyllic holidays that are often advertised in countries like Malaysia and Thailand, the naivety of American tourists and the consequences for a different cultural attitude towards drugs. The film was directed by Joseph Ruben, director of a range of genre films from The Stepfather, Dreamscape, Sleeping With The Enemy.

1. The impact of the film as drama, naïve Americans on an idyllic holiday, the reality of drug offences and an anti-drug culture in Asian countries?

2. The Asian settings, the beauty of Malaysia, the villages, the cities, the rivers? The contrast with New York City? The musical score?

3. The title, the implication of paradise for the first visit, the implication of hell for the return visit?

4. The setting up of the characters, Sheriff and his happy-go-lucky style, his holiday in Malaysia, his studies, the prospect of his return to the US? Tony, the holiday, his seriousness? Lewis, the wanderer, his interest in environmental issues, his planning to stay in Malaysia? Their time together, the relationships, the drugs, a time of general hilarity and holiday? The bike ride and the crash - and the irony of the later accusation about drugs?

5. Beth and her arrival in New York, the lawyer, her plea, her background? Her visit with Sheriff, the meals, trying to offer him money, trying to persuade him? Their friendship, their clashes, Sheriff not wanting to be bought off? Finding out that Lewis was Beth's brother? The visit with Tony, trying to persuade him, his fiancee? The meal together, the fiancee and her anger? The relationship with Sheriff, his rejection of going back to Malaysia? Her return, her being in the court, her joy when the men arrived? The discussions with M.J. Major, journalists, the stories, her wanting to get an exclusive? Beth trying to persuade M.J. Major not to publish, telling her of the reality of the reaction in Malaysia? Her fears being justified, the judge's anger at the articles?

6. Sheriff, the return to America, driving limousines, his customers, way of life? His visit to his father and his father reprimanding him? Not wanting him to go back? The meeting with Beth, his wresting with his conscience, the discussions, his wavering, the issue of the money and his refusal? His return to his house with Beth, their night together? The discussions with Tony, his fiancee, the dinner, the fiancee walking out? His decision not to go? His wavering, discussions, the decision to go? On the plane, his visiting Lewis in prison, trying to understand him, giving support, trying to evaluate his mental state? In the court, giving himself up, the plea to the judge?

7. Tony, his holiday with the men, the return, his success, intended marriage? Beth, his immediate reaction, not wanting to go, the discussions with his fiancee? His decision to go, the return to Malaysia, in the court? His return?

8. Lewis, the three years in prison, the effect, the conditions, the cold and the blanket, the food, the dirt, the squalor? Being glad to see Sheriff? His condemnation, the judge's outburst? The preparations for the execution, his fear, going to his death?

9. Beth, appreciating Sheriff and Tony's return, her distress at the newspaper article, the comments of the judge, her attempts to make a plea in court and her being silenced? Her brother's death?

10. The judge, the law in Malaysia, his comment on American culture and its presuppositions, the right of America to criticise Malaysia or not? Malaysian standards? The nature of the prisons, the quality of life in the prisons?

11. The ultimate effect on Sheriff, the experience, Lewis's death, his own future? Beth's future?

12. Films like this as entertainment - but as cultural warnings for Americans abroad?