Paradise Road

Name: Paradise Road
Genre: Drama, History, War
Released: April 11, 1997
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 48
Cast: Frances McDormand, Glenn Close

1997

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critics

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	Your Score
5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Ratings

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PARADISE ROAD

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: April 11, 1997

Starring: Frances McDormand, Glenn Close

Summary: Set in World War II Singapore, this is the story of several European women who are imprisoned by the Japanese and seek solace from the horror of their imprisonment by forming a vocal orchestra. (Fox Searchlight)

Director: Bruce Beresford

Genre(s): Drama, History, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 122 min

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Awards & Rankings

77	#77 Most Discussed Movie of 1997

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

The exceptionally strong cast showcases American, British, and Australian actresses, all of whom show an astonishing willingness to appear in physically unflattering circumstances (no makeup, hair and skin caked with drying mud). Read full review

Variety - Emanuel Levy

Though carefully rendered from a historical perspective, this powerful account of female friendship and bonding under the most cruel conditions lacks the narrative focus and dramatic shapeliness to generate emotional excitement. Read full review

The New York Times - Stephen Holden

In trying to keep track of everybody while providing enough melodrama to sustain an atmosphere of controlled terror, Paradise Road stumbles all over itself and never really finds its center. Read full review

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

What should have been an affecting film becomes a rank blend of sentiment and sadism in the hands of Bruce Beresford, the Australian writer and director. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Staff(not credited)

It's strange to imagine the subject of World War II a now no-brainer in the same league as sequels and old TV show-spinoffs, something safe and familiar in light of its new, "inspiring" spin. But that's the only way to explain the existence of this otherwise pointless picture. Read full review

Washington Post - Rita Kempley

A queasy union of savagery and uplift, the film ought to be unnerving. Instead, it finally becomes routine. [18Apr1997 Pg. C.07]

USA Today - Susan Wloszczyna

It settles for the recycled emotions of the past despite the fact "Schindler's List" has forever made such treatment shamefully passe. [18Apr1997 Pg.03.D]

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User Reviews

JudeM.

Apr 19, 2006

Immensely moved, especially by the fact that original scores which survived the camp were used for the vocal orchestra.

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barnet42

Oct 16, 2012

With a lack of tension in the resiliency of the women, there is little in the way of overall tension nor, ultimately, point in their endless suffering.

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Samjam

Jun 20, 2012

The only 'good' thing about this movie was the Vocal Orchestra that helped to uplift spirits on both sides of the war. This is a good movie if you want to cry for most of it. Not so good if you have to study it for English

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