Paradise

This film, a joint production of Srilanka and India is a courageous exploration of important social and political themes. It sheds light on the struggles faced by Sri Lankan Tamilians and the country's economic challenges, highlighting issues that are often overlooked. Drawing parallels to the timeless epic of the Ramayana, the movie seamlessly incorporates multiple languages in its dialogue without disrupting the flow of the story. The stunning landscapes of Sri Lanka are beautifully captured on screen, complementing the decent performances from the cast. In essence, this small-scale Malayalam film tackles significant issues in a poignant and thought-provoking manner, deserving a wider audience to appreciate its impact.

Before every single movie screening for the past 6 or so months, the theaters in Sri Lanka have been playing the trailer for Prasanna Vithanage's "Paradise". And as someone who has visited the cinemas more than 60 or so times this year, I've watched this trailer so many times that I can basically recite it line by line. And I have to be honest, the trailer never really gave me the impression that there was anything remarkable here worth checking out. But I could not watch a trailer 50+ times and then not watch the movie when it releases.

Well, now that it's out, what is my opinion of it? It's a movie that doesn't really say very much (at least not directly), but it has so much conflict going on underneath the lines of dialogue that the movie starts growing on you the more you think about it. I watched this movie last Saturday (29th June 2024), and have had 3 full days to think about it before I'm comfortable with how I feel about this movie. "Paradise" is about a lot of things; political, socio-economical and even spiritual, and is written with a lot of clarity without ever giving away more than it needs to.

Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran star as tourists from India who decide to vacation in Sri Lanka during the height of its 2022 political and economic crisis. They're here on a 'Ramayana' tour (the symbolic significance of which, is underpinned brilliantly throughout), celebrating their 5 year anniversary, and with their local guide, the softspoken Mr. Andrew (played with so much grace by actor Shyam Fernando), travel around parts of Sri Lanka that are said to be significant to the 'Ramayana' mythology. But when the couple are robbed at knifepoint on their very first night, things escalate to a point where it's no longer about the robbery, and more so about the self serving power dynamics of the various people involved.

"Paradise" is very intentional in the way it approaches things. Even if you might not like what's happening, you certainly would feel like there's more to this movie than what you're seeing. There's so much political, spiritual and critical messaging going on underneath, that 10 people watching the movie are bound to walk out with 10 different interpretations of it. It's impressive really, and impressive more so to me because I was not expecting it. The movie is strong in all fronts, especially from its acting caliber (namely actor Mahendra Perera, who plays Sgt. Bandara with such amazing subtlety), to the visual language of the movie, the recurring motifs and even the music. They all add up to create a movie that deserves to be talked about.

It might not be a movie for everyone, and I am quite hesitant to recommend it to all in general, but it's one of those movies that would give you what you want if you are the type of person who wants their movies to be more than just mindless entertainment. It has a lot of depth and substance to it, and if that's something that interests you, do go check it out!

Prasanna Vithanage's "Paradise" is arguably his most potent work yet. It masterfully portrays the crumbling institution of marriage within a contemporary consumerist society, set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka's political and economic turmoil. A seemingly placid vacation for a young Indian couple turns into a chilling exploration of power dynamics and unspoken resentments, culminating in a shocking act of violence. Mr. Vithanage expertly uses the backdrop of Sri Lankan myths and landscapes to highlight the clash between tradition and modernity. "Paradise" is a must-see for its unflinching look at the complexities of human relationships and the hidden rage that can simmer beneath the surface.

This is a must-watch gem, where the director Prasanna Vithanage refrains from spoon-feeding the audience. Each scene communicates much more than the dialogues between the characters. The director uses his artistic liberties to tell a story that can be interpreted in various ways, much like the references to Ramayana and its different versions.

Each character is built up very well, and shows both positive and negative shades, while dealing with the situation at hand. The climax is one of the finest I have experienced in recent times.

The casting is top-notch. Roshan Andrews, Shyam Fernando, Mahendra Perera and a couple of SriLankan actors play their part to perfection. Darshana Rajendran takes up a tough role and nails it! She uses her expressive eyes to speak volumes!

It feels great to experience such an excellent collaboration between India and Sri Lanka to present a Ramayana of our era!

The film "Paradise," regrettably, falls short of the hype and offers an unimpressive viewing experience in general. The story, which revolves around an ostensibly exciting journey, is rife with cliches and predictable turns that rob the film of any thrill or novelty. The plot is fragmented and leaves the audience more perplexed than captivated due to the screenplay's lack of consistency.

Character development is scant, and the conversation is terribly written, offering no insight into the protagonists' motivations or personalities. It is difficult for viewers to emotionally invest in their journeys because of this lack of depth. Despite the best efforts of a gifted cast, the performances lack credibility and feel forced, mostly because to poor scriptwriting and directing. From a cinematographic standpoint, the movie is also unimpressive. The images, which had the potential to be a strong point, are ruined by a lack of imagination in picture composition and dull camerawork. The film feels longer than its running time due to the jerky editing, which further ruins the narrative flow.

Furthermore, the background music might be bothersome at times because it makes an excessive effort to create a dramatic and tense mood but ends up being a distraction. The experience of watching is further diminished by the absence of an engaging music.

In general, "Paradise" is a lethargic addition to Malayalam film; it lacks the inventiveness, nuance, and emotional resonance necessary to leave a lasting impression.