User reviews

I am a Hallmark fan so the genre is fine for me but this film just didn't cut it.... Good story......... Check Interesting themes..... Check A potential bit of depth..... Check Good Cast........ Check So what was wrong? Nothing was wrong and yet everything..... The meaning and depth and connection did not go far enough - in the scene where a tragedy is explored portray some emotion, just don't talk about it.... Adding depth, nuance and light and shade and a little medical authenticity could have made it great.

'Retreat to paradise' so perfectly imps the tone of a Hallmark romance that I didn't know it wasn't. It's unquestionably corny, but anyone stumbling across this already knows exactly what they're in for. I can't help myself - I really enjoy it.

Director Brian Brough includes plenty of establishing shots around Fiji to make sure we get eyefuls of greenery and beautiful landscapes, or the ocean. His vision regarding the narrative is notably less expansive, as his camerawork mirrors Warren Workman's editing in keeping the plot flowing very quickly. It goes so quickly that within the first 20 minutes there's a big splash as the physical therapist confronts her surly tennis star patient, and she then calls a friend for advice. Like Brittany Wiscombe's writing, Brough and Workman disallow actors room to truly embrace their roles as no scene lingers beyond the conclusion of dialogue.

And speaking of dialogue - Wiscombe's pen confers some extra personality onto her characters, though the often playful words themselves are direct to the point of unabashed cheesiness. So it is with the story she's written, though it's at least cohesive and whole - and mildly endearing. It's no great revelation - far from it - but even if 'Retreat to paradise' is clichéd in its bent (an air furthered by the very conventional rom-com soundtrack), it has a certain irrepressible charm.

As is commonly the case with pictures of this nature, I feel like the cast is fine, but tend to be restricted by the writing and direction. I'm not especially familiar with most of the actors here, but I trust they've skills that would be brought out in a more elastic feature. Meanwhile, I've seen star Melanie Stone in several films now, and I know she's quite capable. She carries a strong ease and charisma about her that makes her portrayal of protagonist Ellie enchanting in her determination, persistence, and openness.

Of course a requisite dramatic occurrence gives the plot a twist within the last fraction of the film. Even then, though, good work from wardrobe, hair, makeup, and set decoration lend to the pleasantness of what is generally just a feel-good movie.

Yes, it's hokey, in the way the vast majority of rom-coms are. But a viewer isn't going to be watching this if they're not receptive to the genre in the first place, so it's easy to engage with the picture on its level. There's no reason to go out of your way to find it, but 'Retreat to paradise' is a sweet, straightforward experience if you come across it.

The male lead is certainly handsome but his attitude in the beginning almost made me turn it off. Fortunately I gave it a chance. He reminds me of an angry tiger with a thorn in his paw. Once we learn the deeper pain he's hiding -not just his physical injury, it makes a lot more sense. Ellie helps him open up and heal in many ways. So it kind of had to start that way. I enjoyed it.

Cute movie about a mean guy and the sweet girl who helps him change. I thought it was a pretty movie being on an island or somewhere exotic. Nice to see Brian Krause from Charmed too.. Well worth the watch. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/18/2021

Very enjoyable movie filled in beautiful Fiji. Really nice likeable characters and a very good storyline. Don't know much about therapy but hey it's a film and at least she looked like she was working. Well done team!

This is a good concept with wonderful setting in Fiji. However, it was excruciating to watch the injured male lead, Jordan, mouth off like a spoiled 8-yr old. Any chance of a long term relationship with him would involve a tantrum at every tough turn.Ellie should have walked at his first insulting, humiliating conversation. Chemistry was a zero. Ellie will be a battered wife in the sequel. Not a fav.

If you are a fan of Rom Coms and Hallmark movies, you'll love Retreat to Paradise. The story and actors were entertaining, satisfying and believable (and not cringy). This will definitely go on my "watch again" list!

Something is missing. The story seems to drag. The acting is barely fair especially Casey Elliott. The Jordan character is over the top mean at first and as too often happens quickly does a 180. The dialogue lacks life.

If it weren't for the Ellie character, I think I would have given up. Melanie Stone is upbeat but not overly so. Unfortunately I just don't think there was any chemistry.

The conflict is clumsy. There were hints and I think it could have been handled better.

For some reason IMDb is telling me I need to be much longer. I don't really understand why. I see reviews that are less than a quarter of their requirement and I know I've submitted shorter ones. So this is filler.

Physical therapy without icing after an exercise? Some scenes lost the acting that the shoulder was still injured. So many things that are not consistent with rehabbing a shoulder. I know. I've had shoulder surgery twice as a tennis player. Should have researched more before writing the script.

Great romance drama with a bit more depth than many but still calming and uplifting.

Same pattern of romance story. No touching point and kinda boring indeed. I rate 3 cuz for Fiji scene that make me can skip a place to visit. Probably the only good thing about this tv show.

I thought this was a cute movie! I love tennis, the setting of the movie was beautiful, and the actors did a great job! Great story about overcoming hard times!

You would think with a location like beautiful Fiji that a movie would just be amazing. However this cast are all depressina and dreary. When there finally is a moment of fun it's destroyed and back to being depressing. Yes, it finally ha a somewhat "happy ending" but it's not enough to recommend it.

Loved this one... love the actors portrayal of their characters, wonderful scenery and such great feel good story. I have watched several times and enjoy it every time.

For me, an excellent movie since I'm doing rehab myself for my knee, and before that my arm. Discouragement and laziness to exercise are a person's worst enemies when trying to recover from an injury as pointed out in this movie. It shows how important a caring therapist can be in the patient's recovery and that being a good therapist is more than simply a job. I found myself starting to exercise my arm while watching this movie, after not doing the exercises for quite a long time, so I know this movie is good. It's truly motivating.

I loved the actors. It was a great movie, a good plot. Much better than a Hallmark

My wife and I loved this movie, wonderful story, actors, and best of all the scenery in fiji was amazing. We would have rated it 10/10 if we could have been in Fiji.

It seems to me a correct film. Not good, not bad, far to be memorable, offering more the seductive Fiji than a story in proper sense, mixing jealousy, selfishness, friendship, mistakes and, sure, romance.

Honest acting, ordinary Hallmark story and nice locations.

And , maybe, the gift to be far to be exceptional remains its unique but precious virtue. Because it propose ordinary facts in naked aspect , not having the desire to impress or convince. And it works, just well.