PARADISE ROAD

"Bruce Beresford’s beautifully crafted film leaves a legacy of great emotional impact. Through superlative lead performances and focused direction, this stirring story of courage, struggle and friendship is a tale well told. It is a hugely satisfying cinematic experience that takes the viewer on the harrowing journey from pre-war Singapore to the atrocities of the prisoner of war camps. Although the topic of war and Japanese prisoner treatment is still extremely sensitive, there is a certain no-nonsense approach to the well-paced and uncluttered script: the sense of time passing well handled. There are many occasions where pictures alone speak to greater effect than words could ever convey. The beauty of the pure music, in such an otherwise ugly environment, is moving to the extreme. I agree with Andrew: I would have liked to hear more. Glenn Close as Adrienne Pargiter gives a truly great performance; Pauline Collins is full of warmth and integrity; Cate Blanchett effective; Jennifer Ehle is particularly vulnerable. There is a feeling of unity about the whole cast, although Frances McDormand seems out of place. There are many poignant moments: the scene deep in the forest, when the Japanese guard tries to impress Adrienne with his singing, as they sit dwarfed on the huge exposed roots of a tree, is one of the most touching in the film. This thought-provoking, yet curiously uplifting film, is a masterpiece."
Louise Keller

". . . Beresford’s Paradise Road is an honourable and even noble effort to pay tribute to the courage and strength of a group of disparate women . . . 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. . . Paradise Road falls victim to its generic format. . .Worse yet, helmer stumbles into a predictable narrative rhythm: almost every act of courage or defiance by the women is followed by an act of ruthless torture by the Japanese, and back again. This makes the film tediously repetitious, rambling from one episode to another with no strong, involving centre. . .Close dominates every scene she is in with her highly modulated performance, bringing her customary edge to a tough role. Collins, as usual, radiates warmth and intelligence as the kind missionary who often mediates among the various factions . . . pic boasts a strong sense of period verisimilitude, with particularly impressive contributions from lenser Peter James and production designer Herbert Pinter."
Emanuel Levy, Variety

"Paradise Road is an ambitious film, full of spectacular set pieces (such as the Fall of Singapore and its evacuation which is masterfully done), but it is also a film about a company of disparate characters, all so beautifully realised by both Beresford the writer, and Beresford the director. There are no star-turn performances here, rather a sense of genuine cohesion. Following her comic appearance in 101 Dalmatians, Close gives a perfectly controlled performance as a woman who changes so dramatically through her experiences, by her involvement with the choral orchestra. Hers is a deft, deeply moving portrayal. ER's Julianna Marguiles has less to do than many of her co-stars, but her choice scenes, including a memorable moment where she almost chooses life as a prostitute in the infamous satin sheet brigade, are superb. Britain's Pauline Collins is memorable as the missionary who finds it impossible to hate, while Australia's Cate Blanchett is extraordinary as the young nurse who finds a strength she never realised she had. Other fine work comes from Australia's Wendy Hughes, Pamela Rabe and Penne Hackforth-Jones, as well as from Pride and Prejudice star Jennifer Ehles. The film's music gives it an evocative edge, and it's sharply shot by esteemed cinematographer Peter James. As for the choir sequences, they are amongst the most moving and resonant scenes in a film full of emotional power. From the faultless acting, to the mastery of Beresford's vision, Paradise Road is a film to watch out for; it certainly is an extraordinary and satisfying work on all levels."
Paul Fischer

"With Close at the helm, the ensemble cast is fairly impressive: Pauline Collins is appealingly chipper as the tolerant missionary, while Australian newcomer Cate Blanchett gives the most poignant performance as a nurse who discovers her true strength. Only Academy Award-winner Frances McDormand (Fargo) seems out of place: she is curiously stiff as the Austrian (sic) Jew who's playing camp doctor to survive. (McDormand does not share Meryl Streep's facility with foreign accents.) Unfortunately, the movie's impact is undermined by the occasional silly line: "And I thought being a secretary was a rotten job," declares Topsy while digging mud. More importantly, Beresford's script lacks a strong narrative drive. As a result, this women-in-peril movie often seems repetitive, as every act of bravery is automatically followed by an act of brutality. Paradise Road has its emotionally powerful moments but, given the subject matter, it should have been even more stirring than it is."
Kathleen Carroll, Mr Showbiz (rating: 68)