Beyond Paradise

A coming-of-age story set in Hawaii, "Beyond Paradise" is more remarkable for its stunning scenery and gorgeous bodies than for its depth of drama or pathos. Still, pic is relatively commercial for an indie item and might resonate with Gen-X audiences, who will likely respond to its youth-oriented themes.

A coming-of-age story set in Hawaii, "Beyond Paradise" is more remarkable for its stunning scenery and gorgeous bodies than for its depth of drama or pathos. Still, pic is relatively commercial for an indie item and might resonate with Gen-X audiences, who will likely respond to its youth-oriented themes.

A coming-of-age story set in Hawaii, “Beyond Paradise” is more remarkable for its stunning scenery and gorgeous bodies than for its depth of drama or pathos. Still, pic is relatively commercial for an indie item and might resonate with Gen-X audiences, who will likely respond to its youth-oriented themes.

When a painful family discovery plunges high schooler Mark (Roy Newton) into a crisis of faith, he forsakes Santa Monica, and his father, for Hawaii. Moving in with his mother, Mark finds he must learn a new cultural language in order to fit in. As he struggles to integrate with his new classmates, many of whom instantly dismiss him as a haole (Caucasian mainlander), he must draw from reservoirs of strength and compassion he never knew he had.

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Zulu (Kalani), Ronnie Boy (Lorenzo Callender) and Keao (Daryl Bonilla) are the Hawaiian classmates who initially treat Mark with disdain but grow to accept him after he saves another friend from a surfing accident. Making friends is not Mark’s only challenge, however. He must also grapple with the realization that Hawaii and its people are not quite like they appear in postcards. Of Mark’s new friends, one has a drug problem, one has an abusive father and a violent temper, and another is forced to choose between academic promise and social status. As for Mark, he finds himself falling for the beautiful Lehua (Priscilla Basque).

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In his feature debut, director David L. Cunningham offers contrasting representations of Hawaii, one in which the scenery is lush and intoxicating, another in which underprivileged locals live amid poverty and domestic violence. It’s fairly clear that Cunningham wants to blow the lid off the stereotypes, but he doesn’t shy away from exploiting beautiful images that look like travel posters. And there are enough shots of bikini-clad babes and buffed bodies to please “Baywatch” fans, yet David Walker’s screenplay doesn’t particularly demand their inclusion. So, while pic does get “Beyond Paradise,” it doesn’t go quite far enough.

What is most effective here are the scenes of Hawaii one doesn’t always see, and likewise of the characters one didn’t expect to meet. As the locals who gradually befriend the newcomer, Bonilla, Kalani and Callender are natural and surprisingly good. Newton, as Mark, is the weak link. His character barely evolves, and Newton’s acting feels self-conscious and over-pronounced. Moreover, since Mark’s transformation is so subtle, it’s the least interesting to watch, and it’s hard to feel invested in what happens to him.

But if the acting is uneven, tech values are strong across the board. Lensing by Graham Driscoll and Russell D. Steen is bold and evocative. Soundtrack is apt , full of island-flavored tunes that build atmosphere and help establish mood.

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Beyond Paradise

(DRAMA)

  • Production: A Kama'aina Film Partners production. Produced by Anthony Bozanich, David L. Cunningham. Co-producer, Judith Cunningham. Directed by David L. Cunningham. Screenplay, David Walker; story, Cunningham, Walker.
  • Crew: Camera (color), Graham Driscoll, Russell D. Steen; editors, Thomas A. Ohanian, Patrick Flannery; music, Nicholas Rivera; production designers, Clarence Major, Ligia Naghel; art director, Naghel; costume designer, Niklas J. Palm; sound, Michael Hoffman; associate producer, Walker; assistant director, Bud Robertson; casting, Vince Ogletree. Reviewed at AFI/L.A. Film Festival (New Directions) Oct. 30, 1998. Running time: 105 MIN.
  • With: Mark Thompson ..... Roy Newton Richard Thompson ..... David Schultz Ronnie ..... Lorenzo Callender Keao ..... Daryl Bonilla Zulu ..... Kalani Tom ..... Blake Cousins Lehua ..... Priscilla Basque Brian ..... Phil Bruneau Nico ..... Brent Cousins Mr. Kaneko ..... Brickwood Galuteria Mr. Taketa ..... Robert M. Ogata

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