Return to Paradise (1998): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Return to Paradise is a 1998 drama thriller directed by Joseph Ruben, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $8.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 56 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Joseph Ruben
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- MCA/Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Return to Paradise About?
The premise of Return to Paradise without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Three friends, Lewis, Sheriff, and Tony, share a transformative vacation in Malaysia, creating lasting memories. Years later, Lewis is arrested for drug possession, and faces severe legal repercussions. Haunted by their shared history, Sheriff and Tony must grapple with the ramifications of their past and decide whether to return to the place where it all began to help their friend, or accept the potentially devastating outcome he faces.
Return to Paradise Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- death sentence
- guilt
- redemption
- malaysia
- prison
- moral responsibility
- moral dilemma
- remake of french film
- conscience
- death row
- irresponsibility
- reunited friends
+38 more Show fewer
- saving someone's life
- tragic event
- courage
- death of brother
- cowardice
- selfishness
- prison visit
- grief
- vacation gone wrong
- friend
- vacation
- lawyer
- three friends
- drug possession
- immaturity
- anguish
- friendship
- chauffeur
- limousine
- new york city
- hanging
- remake
- capital punishment
- death of friend
- beer
- brief female frontal nudity
- brooklyn new york city
- construction site
- drug use
- falling off a bicycle
- fiance fiancee relationship
- hammock
- man and woman in a bathtub
- opening narration
- premarital sex
- photographer
- sex in the back seat of a car
- smoking crack
Return to Paradise Cast
Joaquin Phoenix leads the cast, with Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche. Directed by Joseph Ruben.
-
Director Joseph Ruben
More from Joseph Ruben
More films directed by Joseph Ruben, best-rated first: The Stepfather, True Believer, Dreamscape and The Ottoman Lieutenant.
Return to Paradise Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Return to Paradise 56 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 56 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB
Return to Paradise Plot Summary
What happens in Return to Paradise from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Three friends, Lewis McBride, [Joaquin Phoenix], Sheriff [Vince Vaughn], and Tony, are vacationing on a sun-drenched island in Malaysia. Their trip begins with near-misses and questionable choices: they’re almost run down by a car on a bicycle ride, they fall prey to pressure from local locals pushing rhinoceros horn, and they end up with a large bag of hash bought from a Malaysian drug dealer. The group retreats to a beachfront house by the ocean and begins to ponder what their futures might hold in this island paradise. Tony and Sheriff decide to return to New York City, while Lewis, described as a “greenie,” dreams of traveling to Borneo to help endangered orangutans. On the last day, they discard the remaining hash.
Full summary
The whole story of Return to Paradise, scene by scene
Return to Paradise Box Office
Return to Paradise grossed $8.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$8.3M
- US & Canada
- $8.3M
Return to Paradise Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip The Heartbreaking Prison Visit
How Well Do You Know Return to Paradise?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor plays Lewis McBride, the friend left behind in a Malaysian prison?
Cars in Return to Paradise
26 cars on screen, including the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Stretched Limousine and the Toyota Crown.
-
1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Stretched Limousine Important role -
Toyota Crown Important role -
1991 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role -
1993 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
Return to Paradise Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Pela vida de um amigo” and “Für das Leben eines Freundes”.
- Also known as
-
- Pela vida de um amigo
- Für das Leben eines Freundes
- Il tempo di decidere
- Loin du paradis
- Regreso al paraíso
- Poprava
- Um Caso de Força Maior
- For venskabs skyld
- בחזרה למלזיה
- Vennskapets pris
- 重返伊甸园
- Visszatérés a Paradicsomba
+11 more Show fewer
- Форс-мажор
- Paluu paratiisiin
- Повернення до раю
- Från himmel till helvete
- Powrót do raju
- 리턴 투 파라다이스
- Επιστροφή στον Παράδεισο
- Retorn al paradís
- Povratak u raj
- Întoarcerea în paradis
- Cennete Dönüş
Seen Return to Paradise?
Movies Like Return to Paradise
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Brokedown Palace, The Return and A Stranger in Paradise.
Return to Paradise FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Return to Paradise, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Return to Paradise?
Return to Paradise runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Return to Paradise released?
Return to Paradise was released on August 14, 1998.
Who directed Return to Paradise?
Return to Paradise was directed by Joseph Ruben.
More films by Joseph Ruben Who is in the cast of Return to Paradise?
Return to Paradise stars Joaquin Phoenix, Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche.
How much did Return to Paradise make at the box office?
Return to Paradise grossed $8.3 million worldwide.
How is Return to Paradise rated?
Return to Paradise has 56 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Does Return to Paradise have a post-credit scene?
No. Return to Paradise has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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