User reviews

"Searching for Paradise' tells of a Gilda (Pratt) whose father dies and leaves behind evidence of an extramarital affair which she discovers. Wanting to become a movie industry camera operator, Gilda carries a small camcorder everywhere which doesn't have anything to do with anything. She also falls in like with a young man and then creates a scene in a library when he won't just drop everything and have sex with her. Posing an an Italian journalist, she goes in search of a handsome leading man, ends up cornered by him in his flat where she creates another scene. During the film she periodically has strange visions/dreams about her father...etc, blaa, blaa. If this sounds messy it not because I can't write a cogent commentary. It's because this is a mess of a film which doesn't really ever make sense of itself. It's obvious that Gilda has issues but they never crystallize and we're left wondering what the hell is wrong with the lovely and otherwise likable Gilda whose character is superficial at best. "Searching for Paradise" is a novice auteur's teeth cutter which is floating around on the Sundance channel and available on DVD. Bottom line? If you can't find something better to watch than this turkey, you're not really trying. (C-)

What exactly is the point of this boring, predictable, cliche-ridden little zit of a film? Are we to be subjected henceforth to the home movies of everyone under age 30? Is this to be our new Inferno? Chris Noth is good but doesn't seem to be in the same film with anyone else. The rest look like they're trying to remake from memory one of Woody Allen's lesser "serious" efforts.

Oh, I hate this type of movies. The European (Italian) background was just a fake. It had nothing to do with the story. Gilda Mattei thought she was smart and sensitive and blah blah but she was actually a low IQ self-centered kid. The film is terrible because it shares no feeling about the real world that is much deeper and wider that can be beyond the imagination of the poor director.

2 out of 10 for some of the camera works.

Not surprised after watching it. Boring, fatuous and annoying just like the lead character. I almost couldn't finish it. Do yourself a solid and clean out your sock drawer instead.

This is a beautiful little film about a daughter dealing with the grief of her father's recent death. Her father is old world Italian and she is heartbroken when he is no longer there for her. She is a beautiful girl, bouncing around like a pinball after his death. She is completely overwhelmed with her misdirected love and hostility. The protagonist is believable in a strange way but she is always watchable. This movie rings true. Without a doubt, Chris Noth gives the best performance of his career. He is a natural in this role. I find that the film is reminiscent in some ways of Atom Egoyan's "Exotica". Rent it now or see it on the Sundance Channel. I promise, you will not be disappointed!

Myra Paci's film was in many ways, a surprise because it came unexpectedly. For a young director, Ms. Paci, shows a lot of talent in the way she has constructed the film and in the performances she gets from her actors.

The film presents the story of Gilda, a young woman getting over the death of her father. At the same time, it's revealed, accidentally, her father might have been involved with another woman. Her reaction is not typical, as she decides to go away to her grandparents in New York as a way to rebel against her mother. She also goes hoping to meet an actor who she has been obsessed with.

Getting to know this man proves to be a let down for Gilda. This young woman feels betrayed by all the men she had loved and suddenly realizes where she belongs and returns home to make peace with her mother, who Gilda has blamed, in a way, for all that has gone wrong in her life.

Susan May Pratt, is Gilda. Her performance seems effortless. Chris Noth is perfect as the egotistical Michael De Santis, the well known actor and the object of Gilda's love. Laila Robins, an extraordinary actress who works in the New York theatre extensively, brings an intelligent approach to Gilda's mother, who has also been betrayed by her husband. Mary Louise Wilson and Josef Sommer make brief appearances as Gilda's grandparents. Also, Michele Placido is seen as Giorgio.

Caught this last night on cable and was pleasantly surprised by its depth. From the dedication at the end, it's apparent that the filmmaker, Myra Paci, is paying a tribute to her own father, making the film extremely personal, giving it still more resonance.

Susan May Pratt is perfect in the lead role of Gilda - she manages to convey a thrilling (and challenging) range of emotions throughout the film without ever losing the center of her character. Chris Noth (Sex and the City's infamous Mr. Big) is not very convincing in his role of an actor. . .JUST KIDDING - he's perfect too, beautiful choice for the part, and in the 'real life' scenes in the car and in the hotel room with Gilda, he manages to show conflicting emotions very brilliantly as well.

Paci manages to get heartfelt, subtle performances from all her actors; the father and mother in particular are beautifully written and brought to life by Placido and Robins. Most importantly, Paci's adroit direction moves seamlessly between reality and fantasy sequences, allowing us a glimpse into Gilda's troubled psyche by SHOWING it, rather than talking about it.

Paci has done another wonderful film - Girls' Night Out, and there's another film listed here at IMDb that I will most definitely be seeing as well. And of course, any future movies from this most gifted filmmaker will be on my short list.

This film Directed by Myra Paci is a moving drama. The director's talent of developing the characters is a key factor in taking the audience into the inner life of the lead character. Great work for a new director- hope to see more from her in the future.