On A List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Another Day in Paradise (1998)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
6/25
6/25:
In terms of shock value, Another Day in Paradise is the weakest in Larry Clark's oeuvre.
I think it's because he used real thespians instead of nonprofessionals. As expected, James Woods dominates
the show. The material is perfect for him, and he carves out a believable bad person who uses people at will.
Obviously, his character's biggest mistake is taking the kid under his wing; otherwise, things would have been
fine, and it's only a question of when he'll be caught.
Melanie Griffith has found a fitting trashy vehicle if I think about what happened with
Cecil B. Demented. Vincent Kartheiser seems to have some acting talent
and will be better in The Unsaid. Natasha Gregson Wagner is fair yet typical.
By the way, she's Natalie Wood's daughter. But make no mistake: James Woods made everybody better. The biggest
surprise is the uncredited cameo by Lou Diamond Phillips as a gay mastermind.
The writing is consistently excellent, making it easy to be absorbed by what's going on. Larry Clark tends to
have several shocking moments in every film he makes, but this time, it's rather tame which is fine by me. In
case if you're confused, the setting is meant to take place in the 70's, hence the dated cars and clothes.
All in all, if you are looking for a combination of Bonnie and Clyde and
Drugstore Cowboy, Another Day in Paradise is your best bet.