``Ticket to Paradise'' is definitely enjoyable [Doichiro Enoki's Akasatana Movie Vol.14]

Ah, I feel like it's been a long time since I've seen a Hollywood adult comedy. When I left the Toho Towa preview room in Hanzomon, it felt like autumn outside. The year 2022 has been rocked by military invasions and assassinations of important people, but the trees on the streets are quietly changing color. My life was affected by a shocking incident, and there were things I had completely forgotten. Movies are the joy of life. No matter how the world changes, I definitely want to stand on the side of comedy.

According to the materials I received, it's called a romantic comedy, commonly known as a ``rom-com.'' "Its origins date back to the 1930s, when it was called 'screwball comedy,' and it continued to evolve and flourish until the 2000s," but it has been on the decline ever since. To avoid spoilers, I'll only reveal the setting of the story, but in short, it's this kind of comedy.

``My beloved daughter, who just The Graduate from law school, fell in love with a local young man on her The Graduate trip to Bali, and got married suddenly!? She divorced 20 years ago, and has been fighting for her daughter every time. A former couple colludes and ventures into a tropical paradise to prevent their daughter from getting married.'' (From <Introduction>)

Isn't this the setting for a slapstick drama that if left to Koki Mitani, he would have to rely on his skills to finish it? First of all, the stage is nice. Exotic scenery of Bali. The sea sparkles in the sunlight, and the hearts of the audience suddenly become brighter. Two young people fall in love there. A ``former couple'' fly in from America to stop the speedy marriage. Apparently, this "former couple" is a reference to George Clooney and Julia Roberts. They've been fighting each other since the plane they were leaving for, and they reluctantly form a united front against speedy marriage, but it's awkward and uninteresting. This is a great setting where you can add as many tickles as you like.

Well, of course, the highlight is the theatrical battle between George Clooney and Julia Roberts, who display their ``perfectly matched jerkiness (?)''. There is a flower. It's persuasive. And there is play. Just looking at it brings a smile to my face. I think it must have been a lot of fun on set for such a Big star to have such a dramatic battle every day and every time we filmed. The two have co-starred in many movies, and the first thing that comes to mind is their role as a married couple in `` Ocean's Eleven '' (2001) and `` Ocean's 12 '' (2004), but I think they've surpassed that one this time. Just look at the nightclub scene. I won't go into details. Look at George Clooney and Julia Roberts' big dicks. It's a gem of a movie. I think that nightclub scene alone could pay for the ticket price. Really fun!

“Ticket to Paradise” © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The question at the heart of this film is, "Can adults believe in paradise (happiness)?" The former couple, who broke up 20 years ago, were once ``two people who fell in love'' with the momentum of their youth. It can be said that I did exactly the same thing as my daughter who is striving for a speedy marriage. And that's why I have some bitter feelings. Paradise (happiness) doesn't last long. Love will wake up someday. Adults understand this. Knowing this makes me want to stop these two young people. Adults can no longer buy ``Ticket to Paradise.'' I can't be so innocent anymore. But is it really okay?

That's what makes this movie a comedy for adults. One of my acquaintances is a columnist from my generation called Yuji Kamisari, and he's a really interesting guy, and he once said something like this.

"Having my son was the best thing that ever happened. By raising him, I was able to start my life all over again."

I don't have any children, so I thought, oh, that's what it's all about. It seems that raising children is also about reliving one's own boyhood and youth. Looks like I'll have to start over again. You try again what didn't work that time, and in the end it doesn't work, you try blushing again about something you were embarrassed about, you suffer from something that was painful, and you feel happy about something that was happy. , apparently that's how you trace.

This means looking at, feeling, and understanding your child's well-being, but it also means looking at, feeling, and understanding yourself.

When I saw ``Ticket to Paradise,'' I remembered Kothari's words. Former couple David and Georgia, played by George Clooney and Julia Roberts, come across "two people in love" and see themselves in it. No, this isn't about story development, it's about structure. How this will turn out is up to the screenwriter. You can take any story from here.

One more thing that surprised me. Throughout the film, I was captivated by the sights of Bali and reminiscing about my bachelor days, and apparently the film was mainly shot in and around the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia. This was completely done.

Text: Ichiro Enoki

Born in 1959. Born in Akita Prefecture. Debuted in a commercial magazine with ``Takarajima'' in 1980 while studying at Chuo University. Since then, he has serialized columns and essays in various magazines, and continues to this day. Also active on radio and television. Twitter @ichiroenokido

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"Ticket to Paradise"

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Distribution: Toho Towa

© 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.