Peaks and Valleys in Paradise Hills

I’m always a tad skeptical going into sci-fi at Sundance. Independent films don’t usually have big budgets, so the resources to make something futuristic or other-worldly is limited and things end up looking really campy or lame. Usually filmmakers go the campy route. But in "Paradise Hill," director Alice Waddington did not hold back! The look of this film is “Flash Gordon” meets “Lady Gaga” meets “Mary Queen of Scots.” It’s medieval, 60’s kitsch and Tomorrowland all rolled into one heavenly conglomeration. I fully bought into the world of "Paradise Hills." Uma is an allegorical "Alice in Wonderland" who has fallen down the proverbial rabbit hole.

The premise for this film is very engaging. Set in the future, Uma (Emma Roberts) has been sent to Paradise Hills, a “center for emotional healing” after the traumatic death of her father. The handsome, rich, supposed "man of her dreams” is waiting for her on the outside so that, after she completes therapy, they can be married and live happily ever after - except her future fiancé isn’t all he seems, and Uma isn’t really crazy, or even emotionally distressed. She just doesn’t want to marry a “prick,” and this is his way of making her change her mind. Sounds medieval, right? Lock her up until she ”comes to her senses.” Uma has two roommates, played by Awkwafina (of Crazy Rich Asians) and Danielle McDonald (of Dumplin'), both of whom are also not crazy - they just don’t meet or conform their family’s ”great expectations.”

On the surface, Paradise Hills seems more like a finishing school for girls. It is overseen by the Duchess (played by the stunning Mia Jojovich) and a coercive staff comprised completely of men who gently escort the girls to various appointments for beauty makeovers, yoga classes, and brainwashing with the help of a carousel pony and creepy holograms. Uma is not convinced that she even needs therapy and plots a way to escape with her friends. But the island is full of strange surprises, hidden traps, and is far more sinister than any of the girls ever thought was possible.

The first half of he movie is captivating. However, as soon as Uma begins her escape in earnest, the movie takes a downward turn. At a time when the pacing of the film should speed up and be a build of dramatic tension, things slow down. Elements of the established world begin to be ignored, like the security cameras that were so omnipresent before are suddenly no longer a problem, and the plot devolves into a banal chase scene and inscrutable "battle" between the Duchess and Uma. Kind of disappointing when the film started out so well. Ultimately, I think most people are either going to love or hate this film. If they love it, they'll tolerate the strange ending.

"Paradise Hills" Broadway Centre Cinemas January 31, 2019

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