Review: 'Ticket To Paradise' is just the escapism needed watching two legends have a blast on-screen

Ticket To Paradise

Every film has a draw and if the idea of George Clooney and Julia Roberts reuniting after years on-screen isn't a draw enough for you, I don't know what will be. Unlike their last outing together twenty years ago in Ocean's Eleven, this time, the duo has opted for a much more relaxed and fun collaboration, and why not! Spawning the kind of careers they have, it is a treat to see the legends have a funny, breezy yet poignant time on-screen in a rom-com, Ticket to Paradise. Having had the opportunity to watch the film before hand, here is what I thought about it-

Changing with Time

One of the key factors that Ticket to Paradise is careful about is that its treatment, screenplay and dialogues are relevant enough and have adapted with changing times. There are no woke elements in the film but it has managed to not fall into the trap of dumbing down rom-coms in disguise of trying to make it funny. The one-liners, while not all of them land, still have a flavor of relatability. Seldom there are instances where any line, funny or not, feel dated or inappropriate with the situation. The bickering between a divorced couple, Georgia (Roberts) and David (Clooney) is as relatable as it can get. What makes it all the more warming is the blistering chemistry between these two stalwarts. Even after all this time, they continue to be charming, relatable, goofy and a whole lot of fun.

Inclusion & Actual Paradise

The title is rather cliched but boy do the cinematographer, Ole Bratt Birkeland and director Ol Parker make sure we indeed are in paradise the moment we reach the land of Bali. Each and every shot in Bali is so beautifully shot and aesthetically captured that we want to immediately be packing our bags and heading to make a travel plan to the country at the earliest. It is indeed paradise as is quipped by even the stars in the film on multiple instances. To be set it in paradise with gorgeous looking people is something we cannot quite complain about. Apart from this, this films opts for inclusion and diversity in the best way possible with the introduction of a fictional Balinese family. 

The actors playing Balinese are brilliant in their portrayal of the characters with standouts like the actor who plays Gede's (Maxime Bouttier) father and Cintya Dharmyanti as Losi among others. It seems like a conscious effort to not have any joke at the expense of foreign culture which is the indeed the best decision the writers and director took. And hey, where else would get to see a traditional Balinese wedding in a mainstream commercial movie!

Some Stereotypes & Underdeveloped Characters

While the character of Wren, the protagonist's best friend is played fantasticaly by Billie Gourd, it seemed like a missed opportunity. As the best friend, she is shown to accompany the protagonist in Bali for a two month trip just after their graduation but not much is explored about her backstory or future even after dropping hints. It is courtesy Gourd's amazing performance that she still turns out to be one of the funniest characters in the film. Apart from that, another character development and stereotype that the film falls to is a ditzy boyfriend. Georgia is shown to have a handsome and much-younger boyfriend (a classic rom-com trope) who, while a competent pilot is portrayed as a tad ditzy and overly submissive to Georgia. It is way too cliched and underdeveloped and while he has a couple of good moments, the characterisation is typecast. 

The Verdict

In the end, Ticket to Paradise is just the kind of escapism one needs in these difficult and testing times and when it is two of the finest stars in Hollywood coming together on-screen for a light and breezy time with some really funny moments and a couple of poignant hints, what more can you ask for!

Rating - *** (3/5)