WRITING BACK HOME // A FILM REVIEW OF "SAVING PARADISE"

BY MATEO MORENO

Based on a true story, SAVING PARADISE treads on some very familiar beats that we've seen in films before. So many in fact that there isn't a single surprise in the film. From the moment it starts, you know exactly how every moment is going to turn out (even worse, the official trailer of the film literally gives away the final moment of the film). And there are some rough acting moments and some cringy, eye rolling dialogue. All of that being said, I still found myself somewhat charmed by much of this schlocky true life tale.

William Moseley plays Michael, the typical rich and vapid Wall Streeter who works for a man who is this close to petting a cat and becoming Dr. Evil. Michael long ago traded in his small hometown of Paradise, Pennsylvania for New York City but his past is about to bring him back home. His father (Lawrence Pressman) has long been a beloved staple of Paradise, running the pencil factory "Peterson's Pencils" for decades and keeping the local economy flush with jobs. After he passes, Michael comes back home to comfort his mother and finds that his father's factory has only 90-days before it defaults on a huge bank loan and is forced to close its doors. Can Michael help save this company, or will he even care enough to do so?

So all of the familiar beats are there, including running back into his old flame (Johanna Braddy) and having to deal with the memories of his dead brother. It's a lot to fit into a film and writer Van Billet does it with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The story beats are broad, the dialogue is often cheesy and there isn't any plot point that you can't see from a mile away. But damn it if it didn't still hold a charm to it and a lot of that has to do with a strong ensemble (which includes the late, great character actor Mary Pat Gleason and the wonderful Bill Cobbs) and some good old-fashioned syrup filled inspirational storytelling. Some of the leads don't help matters - William Moseley plays one note throughout and as his boss (James Eckhouse) seems to be playing Mr. Burns in real life. But beyond that lies a totally harmless, sweet, even hokey feel-good film, and maybe just maybe since its heart is in the right place, we give it a slight pass, forget that the script feels like an example that comes in Final Draft and just enjoy some of its warmth. Lord knows we need it right now.

GRADE: C

WRITTEN BY Van Billet DIRECTED BY Jay Silverman STARRING William Moseley, Johanna Braddy, Mimi Kennedy, Shashawnee Hall, Mary Pat Gleason, Paul Dooley, Bill Cobbs, Lawrence Pressman, James Eckhouse. NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATRES AND ON DEMAND. FOR MORE INFO: SAVING PARADISE