A Spanking in Paradise

This film was a total surprise for me. I didn't see how you could make a comedy set in a whorehouse funny due to the subject matter, but it worked and what I liked about this film, was that it felt quite raw and realistic. I think I was expecting it to be like a Meet the Parents gag after gag film but instead it felt like a snapshot of something that could have happened. Rather than be a 'film', it almost felt like a rough and ready documentary of someone's reality. One minute quite serious and heavy, the next ridiculously comical the way I suppose real life is. For instance, the uncle telling vivid stories of his exploits, and his nephew Justin just innocently trying to get by, but kind of putting his foot in it the whole time because of his naivety. What I also liked was it didn't pretend being a hooker was any sort of picnic. I didn't realize in Scotland, I suppose like Las Vegas, the whorehouses are legal to keep the women safe. Anyway, definitely 8 out of ten and worth a watch.

Justin, a human rights lawyer takes a trip north of the border to visit with family before he moves out to the United States. As it turns out, his uncle runs a brothel (sauna) and while waiting on his Visa being processed he finds himself involved in a life that his mother moved to England to keep him away from. I had seen postings for this movie for a while but had never gotten around to it. Now i'm wondering what took me so long. There are not many movies at the moment that actually make me laugh out loud but this one did. Some funny anecdotes and some very funny visual moments lightened what could have been a very dark movie. Unfortunately i was left wanting more. Nice one.

I watched 'A Spanking in Paradise' at last night's Scottish BAFTA screening in Glasgow. I didn't really know what to expect - though i suppose the title may have given something away - but I was completely blown over. Through Justin, the very handsome lead character, we're introduced to the hilarious goings on at the 'Birds of Paradise Sauna,' one of Scotland's many licensed brothels. As I women I wasn't that aware that they existed in the numbers that they do. And the various characters he meets during his stay are larger than life, one of which I'm still chuckling about this morning. At times, it's hard to say weather this film is a comedy with darker moments, or a drama with comedy woven through it. But for me that was all part of this enjoyable watching experience. This film is not 'The English Patient' so shoulder be viewed as such. But in the days of remakes and sequels, and risk adversed commissioners and studios, it was genuinely refreshing to see something so original. You can do a lot worse than spending 94 minutes in the Birds of Paradise Sauna.

A hilarious insight into Edinburgh's seedy sex world of brothels. Fresh outspoken comedy at it's fullest with a dash of grit and a drizzle of seriously sexy women. The characters in this movie will have you rolling around your seats with laughter and keep you on the edge with suspense. Being an Edinburg o myself i felt I could relate to the characters well and was intrigued by their hilarious tales of foreign adventures, transvestites and extravagant chases from the police down Leith walk. I like a film that not only makes me laugh but sustains a level of dramatic intensity throughout and 'A Spanking In Paradise' delivers in every scene. The lead character Justin is portrayed ever so well by Andrew Hawley and every step he takes deeper into the underground world of Edinburgh, you feel you are there with him. Sit back and relax as your about to get a spanking!

This film reminded me of Shameless, one of my favorite TV shows right now. My favorite part of this film was probably the opening scene... makes you realize how ridiculous the questions on an immigration form must be for people coming into our beloved country, the US of A, really made me laugh... anyway, very funny film, lots of hot chicks and good acting.

The uncle Rab is a bit like Frank Gallager, but tells funny stories rather than just simply ranting about injustices, and the Justin character is almost like Fiona, trying to make his way through the crazy world his uncle has created. A wild ride to watch!