TRAPPED IN PARADISE

US, 1994, 111 minutes, Colour.
Nicholas Cage, Richard B. Schull, John Lovitz, Maedchen Amick, Dana Cavi, Florence Stanley.
Directed by George Gallo.

Trapped in Paradise is a pleasant entertainment, not particularly startling, often silly, but silly funny, not silly stupid. On the other hand, the three brothers involved do some very stupid things, including robbing a bank in the most friendly town in existence, Paradise, Pennsylvania.

Two of the brothers are perennial jailbirds. John Lovitz portrays a pathological liar, Dana Cavi is a kleptomaniac. Nicholas Cage, however, wants to do the right thing. There are echoes of It's a Wonderful Life and a kind of Frank Capra optimism in this 1990s treatment of criminals in a pleasant town on Christmas Eve. All kinds of mix-ups occur but there are quite a few laughs.

1. A pleasing comedy? The serious sides of the portrait of the brothers, their criminal behaviour, the town itself, their having to change their attitudes for Christmas?

2. The Christmas setting, the town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, the small town, its appearance, decorations for Christmas? Homes, families? Prison? The bank? The musical score?

3. The title, the experience of the three brothers, the irony of their wanting to get out of Paradise with the money but being trapped there? On Christmas Eve?

4. Bill Firpo, his work in the restaurant, the customers, the kitchen, New York City life? His wallet, finding the money? His going to confession, his saying that he returned the money, the priest, his knowing Bill, telling him about his brothers and their being released from jail?

5. Bill, not wanting to pick them up, going to the jail, Alvin and his going to the candy store on the way home, his attempts to rob the candy store? Bill's reaction, trying to put the money back, the brothers and their having to get away from the police?

6. Their mother, her comments, her attitudes towards each of her sons, her tongue? Dave and Alvin and their letter they have brought her, her weeping? The letter asking them to go to Paradise, the inmate, his daughter, their going to see her? Bill's reaction, the wallet being found at the candy store, going to Paradise with his brothers?

7. Christmas Eve, the local bank, its not having many guards or security? Sarah at the bank? The money arriving? Bill and his reaction to the money, Alvin and Dave and their having guns? The attempt to rob the bank, the masks, getting the money, the awkwardness of trying to get out?

8. Vic, in jail, people terrified of him, his plan to rob the bank in Paradise - and suddenly hearing the news that the bank has been already robbed?

9. The escape attempt, the brothers in the car, the crash, the river, their being saved, taken to the home of the bank president, his kindness? His story about the money, the money for the town's Christmas Club savings, the robbery causing the bank to close? The family and their kindness to the brothers, Sarah living there, her kindness? Taking them to the bus station?

10. Bill, his going to church, talking to Sarah, attracted to him, telling her that he wants to change - and Sarah's attitude, her thinking that he was a robber?

11. The getaway on the sled, the horse, their decision to rescue the horse? Bill, his change of heart, trying to persuade the brothers to return the money?

12. Vic, his escape from the jail, kidnapping their mother, Bill and his thumbing a ride - and almost being picked up by Vic?

13. The returning of the money, the police, the Anderson house and Vic inside, Ma and everyone else as hostage? Sarah revealing that she is Vic's daughter?

14. Dave, his having planned the robbery, the shootout, Vic and his being captured? The townspeople changing their minds, giving the brothers their alibi? Sarah and her love for Bill, forgiving him?

15. The return to New York City, Bill and Sarah staying in Paradise? The film as a 90s attempt at screwball comedy, Capra-like optimism? The funny situations, characters, dialogue?