Main Cast: Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson, Elijah Wood, Thora Birch, Sheila McCarthy
Release Year: 1991
Country: US
Run Time: 112 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Mary Agnes Donohue adapted her French success Le Grand Chemin for this American version, reworked as a vehicle for Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Paradise is a coming-of-age story about a 10-year-old boy named Willard (Elijah Wood), who is sent by his mother to stay with her best friend Lily (Melanie Griffith), who lives in the Delta shrimp-fishing country in a town called Paradise. Lily and her husband Ben (Don Johnson) have been living in an unmentioned emotional vacuum since the death of their own three year old boy. Willard makes friends with the local 9-year-old tomboy, Billie (Thora Birch), who teaches Willard to be comfortable with himself. When Willard gains a handle on his own emotions, he can now help Ben and Lily to connect, overcome grief and rediscover themselves. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Eve Gordon - Rosemary; Louise Latham - Catherine Reston Lee; Greg Travis - Earl McCoy; Sarah Trigger - Darlene; Richard Olsen - Minister; Lucy Alpaugh - 1st Old Lady; Rick Andosca - Ernest Parkett; John R. Copeman - Other Fisherman; William Thomas Crumby - Lou; Timothy Erskine - Darlene's Boyfriend; Dave Hager - Bartender; Scott Hubacek - Greyhound Bus Driver; Jeff Jeffcoat - Eddie-the Attendant; Carl McIntyre - Willard's Father; Chestley Price - Bus Driver; Anthony Romano - Clay-Popular Boy; Kay Shroka - 2nd Old Lady; Jason Robert Somrak - Neighborhood Tough; Melanie van Betten - Marliss; Eric Vest - D.J.; Johanna Ray
Credit
Johanna Ray - Casting, Linda Palermo Donahue - Costume Designer, Mary Agnes Donoghue - Director, Eva Gardos - Editor, Debra McDermott - Editor, Robert W. Cort - Executive Producer, Ted Field - Executive Producer, Jean-Francois Lepetit - Executive Producer, David Newman - Composer (Music Score), Marcia Hinds-Johnson - Production Designer, Evelyn Sakash - Production Designer, Jerzy Zielinski - Cinematographer, Scott Kroopf - Producer, Patrick Palmer - Producer, Donna J. Hattin - Set Designer, Merritt Yohnka - Stunts, Max Kleven - Stunts, Scott Kroopf - Screenwriter, Patrick Palmer - Screenwriter, Mary Agnes Donoghue - Screenwriter
Paradise is a 1991 film written and directed by Mary Agnes Donoghue. The original music score is composed by David Newman.
Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson (at the time married to each other) play Lily and Ben Reed, a young couple torn apart by a family tragedy. It would take a miracle to rekindle their love and a miracle arrives in the form of a summer guest - Willard Young played by Elijah Wood
It is a remake of the French film "Le Grand Chemin" by Jean-Loup Hubert.
Plot summary
Willard Young is a 10-year-old boy who is sent by his mother to stay with her best friend Lily Reed, who lives in the Delta shrimp-fishing country in a town called Paradise. Lily and her husband Ben have been living in an unmentioned emotional vacuum since the death of their own three year old boy. Willie makes friends with the local 9-year-old tomboy Billie Pike, who teaches him to be comfortable with himself. When Willard gains a handle on his own emotions, he can now help Lily and Ben to connect, overcome grief and rediscover themselves.
