#REVIEW: “TICKET TO PARADISE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Rom-Coms really are nearing an extinction, which is why Ol Parker‘s TICKET TO PARADISE actually stands out in a slate of Horrors and Oscar contenders to hit theatres at this time of year. And if anything, there’s at least the magentic tried, tested and true chemistry between Hollywood icons George Clooney and Julia Roberts to fall back on here.

The Film centers around Lily (Kaitlyn Devers), who is set to become a Lawyer, just graduating from college. The occasion reunites her separated parents, David (Clooney) and Georgia (Roberts) who despise one another. Lily decides to have one last hurrah before she lives a life of adulting, jetting-off to Bali with her best friend Wren (Billie Lourde). This is where she falls in love with Gede (Maxime Bouttier) and within two months, they decide the wed.  Dead-set on not letting their daughter throw her life away, David and Georgia reunite to sabotage the wedding plans in Bali, but in doing so, they are forced to confront the things that tore them apart, but also brought them together.

Parker sure knows just how to sweep us away and keep us entertained. We adored his 2018 effort Mama Mia! Here We Go Again and combining some playfulness in his co-written Script with gorgeous scenery by Cinematographer Ole Bratt Birkland, TICKET TO PARADISE on the whole is enjoyable.  The Film however could’ve benefitted from a bit more Comedy tonally and a little more focus on Lily‘s storyline and what it is that really makes her fall in love with Gede and Bali.

That being said, Clooney and Roberts carry the weight of the Film and are fantastic together. Clooney, pessimistic and sour is guided by the principle of wanting to protect his daughter from making the same mistakes he did. Roberts, also guarded and jaded, comes into this with the same intention, but is more willing to play the part that she’s more open-hearted than she actually is.  We’ve seen stories of rekindled romances time and again, but this duo make it worth the while here and there’s no doubt we’re rooting for them!

Universal Pictures Canada release TICKET TO PARADISE in theatres October 21, 2022.