Welcome to Paradise

As a mother of a 13 year old child, I find that there is a serious lack of family oriented films available to us. For years, we've been reduced to watching animated films, films with talking animals, and now that my daughter is older, we find formula films about teenagers that our children can't relate to, nor do we want them to relate to. "Welcome to Paradise" fills that void. Last night after the screening, my daughter talked for hours about the plight of 'Frances and Trevor' (two homeless characters from the film). She was very moved by their situation, and was touched in a very good way by the movie.

Brent Huff is a fabulous director whose family - "feel good" - faith based message is wonderfully presented - and long over-due.

I sincerely hope that Out of Pocket films continues in this genre as the need for quality family films with a real message is very real. See this film. Demand more of this kind!

Writer and director Brent Huff hit a home run with his movie "Welcome To Paradise."

Starring Crystal Bernard, Brian Dennehy, Beth Grant, William Shockley and Bobby Edner, this family movie will have viewers crying and laughing as well as leaving the theater feeling good. I enjoy leaving a movie theater inspired and focused on the good in mankind.

Don't miss the chance to take your children to this show.

"Welcome To Paradise" would make an excellent Hallmark TV movie. I highly recommend it to everyone, kids and adults.

Bryce Yarborough

Not an attack on churches in small towns or big cities - but a wake up call to what "church" is really about. Not the building or the bank account, but the "body" rooted in love and forgiveness.

Good character and plot development in the storyline. Tugs at your heart and opens your eyes.

Obviously edited for television with fade-to-black every so often (reserved for commercial breaks). Clean, only one or two incidences of mild language, no sex, no violence other than a brief instance of teenage bullying. Good family film for preteens and older. Musical score is inspirational but subtle and not overpowering. Good casting.

"Welcome to Paradise" is a family film that, while long on values, spreads the Good News through kindness between people versus sermonizing on celluoid.

As a matter of fact, "Paradise" directly takes on those religious types to whom the Bible refers to a "stiff- necked people." Associate Pastor Debbie Laramie ("Wings" star Crystal Bernard) is in trouble at the top of the film for being too folksy in the pulpit. Her rigid male superiors exile her and her teenage son (well-played by Bobby Edner) to the small town of Paradise, which as it turns out, isn't. Just like in the big city, there are brittle, agenda-driven people in the small town. But without missing a beat, the new pastor jumps into the fray.

Bernard's Laramie is breezy and warm, and she does the Lord's work by being her open self, bringing people together one at a time. Bernard skillfully anchors the role with honesty. She carries the film on her feminine shoulders, making it look effortless.

The cast is studded with sure-handed veterans, led by film and stage luminary Brian Dennehy, who lends deep credibility to a film just by walking in front of the camera. It seems he never fumbles a beat as an actor. Ever.

Writer Shockley, who deftly pulls double duty playing the high school basketball coach, is a welcome masculine counterpart for Bernard. Though the film thankfully avoids making this an obvious love story, the chemistry between the two creates agreeable sparks.

"Paradise" ambitiously fleshes out a number of smaller roles with their own subplots, and enhances its own theme by creating an ensemble film. Lou Beatty, Jr. shimmers as the homeless Trevor Goodman and his singing throbs with contemplative power. Likewise, Beth Grant as the pivotal Frances Loren is believable and touching. Her character creates the havoc that eventually brings the town together. It's an inspirational finale that brings a lump to the throat and resolve to the heart.

There are a few snags in the story: for example, it stretches credulity that Laramie wouldn't know her son is dyslexic. She's presented as a character that's been busy, not selfishly blind; and some situations are hopelessly "on the nose." Luckily, the film unfolds briskly with a purpose that refuses to be derailed. Locations are attractive; the music enhances the story; the look of the film is rich.

There's a sense that "Paradise" is the real deal: a film about genuine caring between humans, made by quality professionals who truly care about humanity.

The Dove Foundation gave "Welcome to Paradise" a Four Dove Rating. The Religion Network seconds that!

This movie was very good, and people of all ages will enjoy it, I think. Very few filmmakers tackle such topics as homelessness and accepting people, regardless of gender, race, age, etc. But this one does, and it does it without being preachy or boring.

Crystal Bernard was great in this role. But the character (Bobby Edner from one of the Spy Kids movies) who plays Hayden was a real stand-out, too. I thought he added depth as her confused teenage son trying to cope with his father's death and his mother's profession as a pastor -- and all that comes with being a pastor's child when it's tough enough growing up in a "normal" family.

I don't think it is in theaters until the summer, but it's playing at the American Family Film Festival (www.iffilmfest.org) in LA in February. I saw it at a screening recently and highly recommend it!