Paradise (Diablo Cody)

[EyesWideOpen]

imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262990/?ref_=sr_1)

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/paradise-poster_zps9c8d0606.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/gothamcentral79/media/paradise-poster_zps9c8d0606.jpg.html)

[eternity]

Like Young Adult, there are textured characters and an emotionally involving story here, but Diablo Cody simply does not have the directorial gravitas to properly convey the material like Jason Reitman does so beautifully in their collaborations. It's a shame, because there's a lot here that could have been really effective in more capable hands. As is, it feels like a decent pilot to a premium cable show with room to grow, not a 90-minute film. So much time is spent just establishing who the characters are that giving them an arc and resolving the film's plot seemed like a burden, both to Cody and the audience.

Oh well. I liked it, but it feels like a waste.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm one of the few people who likes Diablo Cody but yeah this was not very good. Hough is a servicable lead actress in this but even with a standout actress I don't think this story or the direction is interesting enough. The only real enjoyment I got out of it was Brand doing his usual Brand shtick and how ridiculous Nick Offerman looked.