Paradise Road

Writing on VL Online, Nicole Plympton opened her review of Bruce Beresford's 1997 Paradise Road by comparing it to "the engrossing 1985 documentary Song of Survival (VL-9/89), [which] told the incredible story of 30 Australian, British and Dutch women prisoners who not only lived in a POW camp in Sumatra for over three years, but formed a choral orchestra that sang a spirit-uplifting repertoire including Brahms, Chopin and Beethoven. While the documentary truly captured the horrors of war, underscoring the strength and courage of the human heart, Paradise Road, the fictionalized account, is more concerned with showing Glenn Close and Frances McDormand engaged in scenery-chewing in the thick of malaria and malnutrition, overpowering the more restrained and moving performances of others--particularly Pauline Collins. Still, like many "based on a true story" pictures, perhaps this will peak curiosity or renew interest in the real heroes." The DVD, which sports a good digital transfer and crisp Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, is a strong, optional purchase. (R. Pitman)