Ticket to Paradise

You have to imagine Clooney and Roberts, two people who are good pals in real life, read this script and saw the chance to have a holiday in an exotic location with a buddy, all the while being paid for it. Even when they aren't really trying both are very charismatic, and they aren't really trying here, unfortunately. The film has a promising start, as the bickering between the divorcees is top-notch screwball comedy fare. But once we get to Bali and they unite forces, it all turns dull and formulaic. The young lovers never really seem real and so never appear genuinely under threat, and the attempts to introduce Balinese life and culture is saccharine sweet.

In short, meh.

Oh don't listen to the negative reviews. This is a movie to just sit back and enjoy without overthinking. Can't people do just that anymore? You're spending almost 2 hours in a paradise with Julia Roberts and George Clooney, so the acting is guaranteed. The rest of the cast is awesome as well. So what if the story is predictable? Sometimes it's ok for our guess to be right when everything else is right. I laughed at the simple jokes and felt wonderful after watching this movie. This is the perfect movie if you want to take a break from trying to be the most intelligent person you know. I don't think the producers intended for it to be other than that.

"Ticket to Paradise" is the clear example that the trailer is better than the movie itself. The script does not bring anything new to romantic comedies, it rushes to take the already known formula and fill the plot with the typical clichés. Julia Roberts and George Clooney offer simple performances without much charm, the secondary characters are more endearing as is the case with Wren Butler played by Billie Lourd. The filming locations are extraordinary and the cinematography makes them look even more beautiful. Returning to the script, it fails to catch on and as entertainment it doesn't go that far either. One of the worst moments is the terrible CGI with which a dolphin that appears on the screen for a few seconds was created. Movie to see once and not repeat.

I love the actors, loved the location and loved an older romance getting a look in for a change. However, the plot was lazy and it kind of felt like an opportunity was missed, it was only okay when it could have been great. It felt like the actors just sleepwalked through the movie and the script wasted their talents.

Also, what stopped me from enjoying the movie more was the dumbness of the supposedly very intelligent daughter. I mean, what is the rush to marry someone you have known for only 30 days? Maybe she had been binge-watching 30 day fiancé. I get that he's a hunk and it's a paradise island but after a couple of years of picking seaweed even that will get old.

There was great chemistry between George and Julia and it kind of felt like we were cheated out of a proper smooch between them! It is worthwhile for the nostalgia factor but not a classic and probably not even a re-watch.

If you're going to produce a run of the mill romantic comedy/drama film then you may as well set it in one of the most beautiful places on earth and get some of the biggest names in Hollywood to lead it.

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The location and scenery was stunning, the acting performances were good and although the story itself was by the numbers, it was enjoyable light hearted entertainment with a light moral message.

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It does run for a bit too long and the outtakes were by far the funniest part of the film.

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Overall, I would score this film as a six out of ten.