Beyond Paradise

I saw BP at AFI Fest 98 in Santa Monica. It was a sold out showing and the crowd responded enthusiastically. I think it deals with cross cultural relationships in a very subtle but profound way. It is beautifully filmed and has a lot of great moments.

I just wanted to say that this movie was fantastic. It was honest without being insulting(as most films about Hawaii are)and the camera work was superb. The thing that stood out the most was the exceptional performances by Lorenzo Callender(Ronnie Boy), Daryl Bonilla(Keao) and Kalani(Zulu), with Bonilla stealing the show with natural depth and comedic timing. Hopefully Hollywood's "big wigs" will look into these fine young actors. Great movie!!!

A relocated California teen (Roy Newton) faces rampant anti-white sentiment in this interesting `coming of age' drama set in the island paradise of Hawaii. The acting is fair and the drama often forced, as the well-meaning lad struggles to fit into a culture where local islanders view mainlanders as a threat and respond with aggression. This isn't the Hawaii my travel agent pitched.

This uneven effort, written and directed by first-timer David L. Cunningham, is laudable in attempt and tone but suffers from the constrictions of budget and experience. By the final reel, all the characters have either failed or suffered and there are no clear resolutions, except those espoused – all too briefly -- by a native schoolteacher.

I may be a bit biased, since I've worked with some of the actors in this film.

Nah, they no care what I say. And David Cunningham charged us for the lunch we 'treated' my colleagues to, but that's another story.

Suffice to say, I hated the first third of the film. Tired stereotypes of local boys bullying the poor haole guy.

And then something happened.

As soon as the jellyfish stung Roy, (not a great actor, but I stuck with it), the plot took another turn.

These local boys became real. This is where the movie should have started. Even the local girls become more interesting. The characters lived the world of this film. If only Kalani and Roy were the central characters focusing on their church life.

Kalani made up for Roy's shorcomings as an actor and was far more believable.

Props also to Daryll Bonilla, Lorenzo Callendar and Garret Sato, all friends and colleagues who cut their teeth in this production. They are the real stars of this film, and I'm sure everyone in Hawaii agrees.

I must say I saw this film with a group of friends here in Hawaii and the theatre was jam packed. This movie shows both the good and bad sides of Hawaii. Where movies like "Aloha Summer" and "North Shore" failed "Beyond Paradise" succeeds. The story focuses on California native Mark[Roy Newton] as he moves to Hawaii to live with his mother. He is befriended by three local students named Zulu[Kalani], Ronnie Boy[Lorenzo Callender] and Keao[Daryl Bonilla]. We then are taken on a journey of both beauty and violence and what a journey it is. Aside from one flaw[which I'll talk about a little later]I thought this movie was excellent. The cinematography is superb and the story is brutal but utterly endearing and touching. But the thing that stands out most is the acting. This film showcases some young talented actors. I'd take these actors over any from the "Dawson Creek", "Scream" crowd. Newton is okay but shows little depth and even lesser growth as Mark[this being the flaw I mentioned earlier]. Being on the screen with talented actors as he was only made his so-so performance stand out more[which in his case was not a good thing]. Kalani is a charmer as the storytelling Zulu[not a bad surfer as well]. Callender delivers a solid yet heartbreaking performance as Ronnie. He's got talent. Bonilla distinguishes himself as Keao. He is a scene stealer. This guy is something special to watch as the crowd just ate him up. Priscilla Basque[Lehua], Troy Ignacio[Aku] and Eric MacArthur[Jason]do good work in supporting roles. I seriously recommend that people see this film for just the great acting alone as this movie delivers 9/10.