Beyond Paradise

I love Ryan Guzman, so I found this movie. I really wanted to like it but it was borderline unwatchable. I feel like you were supposed to be on the side of the protagonist, but her character was really unlikable. I found myself on pretty much anyone else's side other than hers; but throughout the film, every character had moments where they appeared to be the "bad guy." Other things worth mentioning; the plot was very all over the place. Several story lines were brought up to be immediately dropped? It was like a hodge podge of ideas into one film. All that aside, the acting was amazing. The actors did a phenomenal job despite subpar screenwriting. If it wasn't for the music, poetry and acting; this would be a 0 stars in my book.

A quiet film that can easily be discarded as just a romance with two good looking young film stars (Ryan Guzman and Francia Raisa), but it touches on many social issues, such as surviving breast cancer, cultural differences, women's rights and violence against women. What makes this film unique is it's ability to combine classic poetry (Rumi and Lorca) with classical music (Tchaikovsky, Iranian music)weaving the story through its journey. Also note worthy are the other actors: Daphne Zuniga, Misha Crosby, Maz Amini and Yareli Arizmendi. This isn't a film you want to put on in the back ground while doing laundry. Watch it for its many subtleties.

One of the most overall pleasing and gratifying movies I've seen, Beyond Paradise wins on all levels--emotional, spiritual, and intellectual.

A movie that gives you new perspectives about life, relationships, love, and interpersonal connections that define us. Of course the primary reason it succeeds is great directorship by J.J. Alani, and excellent acting by Ryan Guzman and Francia Raisa. This film served as a great entertainment with its colorful cast and numerous plot twists. Beyond paradise is exciting, creative, amusing, and well worth your time.

I will highly recommend this movie since it is both entertaining and educational. Brilliant movie.

​I really enjoyed watching this beautiful ​original​ ​love​ story​ starring Ryan Guzman. He did a great job playing poetic lover, usually I saw him as an action hero in films. There are many romantic moments in the movie, which remind me of ​great​ amour​ films I watched when was living in Europe. BEYOND PARADISE​ is full of unexpected moments​,​ and the dialogue is​ fresh and very well ​ written​.​ Plus the movie has RUMI & LORCA's love poems. Also the music score contains captivating classical music (Tchaikovsky) and Eastern music.​ ​ I recommend the film as it also ​deals with​ very deep ​current women issues​, which will touch everyone. I watched it on iTunes platform, which I usually use for watching the films, but it's available everywhere now.

It is an opening into the how love is perceived as a consequential emotion by many people through many cultures, rather than being acted upon with the presumed support of the family and community. MIsha Crosby as Ray brought such a dimension of realism to the plot, truly a fantastic performance. I believe the characters have interacted with each other in believable ways. It was also very refreshing to watch Max Amini's character, who plays a comedian, play through this film experiencing serious life and marital dilemmas, rather than hype up his comedic career and force a constant "funny man" character. Through the film, Rumi poems and implications are placed organically and help the viewer to sympathize with Shahrzad and her struggle coping between unrequited love and searing pains from the past.