Movies

Review: Filled with narrative zigzags, ‘Paradise’ will keep viewers on the edge

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As I settle in to review “Paradise,” now available on Hulu, I find myself jogging through a seemingly idyllic neighborhood that mirrors the meticulously designed urban landscapes of Celebration or Seaside, Florida, where “The Truman Show” was shot, or perhaps even a movie studio backlot, with its timeless town squares echoing from countless films and television shows. This place exudes an allure of the good life, where nostalgia is so dense you could slice it and spread it on your toast like butter and Wonder Bread. Whether you’re for or against this style of urban planning, in the realm of fiction, it carries a whiff of artificiality that becomes undeniably evident by the end of the first episode – and trust me, it does.

And the title is obviously ironic, as any title with the word “paradise” in it would be.

Xavier’s run leads him into a neighborhood that seems to cater to the wealthy, with only one house suggesting this, as there doesn’t appear to be a poor people’s area. He chats casually with Billy Pace (played by Jon Beavers), who is clearly superior to Xavier in status. After some morning discussions with his kids – the mature and organized Presley (Aliyah Mastin) expresses worries about her dad’s wellbeing, while the dreamy younger James (Percy Daggs IV), donning character-defining glasses, reads “James and the Giant Peach,” which briefly unsettles Xavier. Later, he returns to the grand house, dressed in a suit matching Billy’s. The mansion and its surroundings are bustling with other men and women wearing black, including Jane Driscoll (Nicole Brydon Bloom), hinting at high-end security. However, their protection efforts prove insufficient when Xavier discovers that the man they’re guarding has been found dead in his bedroom, his head badly injured by a firearm.

Television

In the Hulu series titled “Paradise,” the cast is featured, marking a reunion of Brown with the creator of “This Is Us,” Dan Fogelman. The show delves into thought-provoking themes such as global warming and technological advancements.

As I delve into this gripping eight-episode series, it transpires that we’re dealing with a captivating blend of a murder mystery and a conspiracy thriller. The victim is none other than the President of the United States, Cal Bradford, portrayed masterfully by James Marsden. Xavier, our protagonist and former lead Secret Service agent, seems to be entangled in this high-stakes drama.

In intriguing flashbacks scattered throughout the series, we uncover the complex relationship between Bradford and Xavier. Once, Bradford was a charismatic politician, devoid of any discernible political leanings, yet adored by the people and respected by fellow leaders. However, his downfall has led him to become a melancholic, robe-clad figure, whose once amicable, if professional, bond with Xavier has turned frosty, maintaining only a distant professional rapport that leaves both characters in dismay.

The reasons behind this chilling transformation will gradually unfold, shedding light on numerous other secrets as the story progresses.

Hang on, there’s an intriguing turn ahead! (If you dislike surprises that could be considered spoilers, even if they are essential elements of the plot, you might want to stop reading now.) It becomes apparent that every resident in this town wears a unique bracelet which serves as both currency, car key, and locker access; an electronic billboard reads “Dawn delayed by two hours” for “routine maintenance.” And so, at last, the secret is revealed — one final chance to depart — that this picturesque town lies beneath a massive dome, under a simulated sky, nestled under a large mountain in Colorado. Thus, this is a science fiction series. A thrilling sci-fi murder mystery conspiracy tale.

The characters in this story find themselves in a confined space due to a catastrophic event that occurred on the surface. The specifics of this event aren’t crucial to the plot, unlike typical post-apocalyptic stories that focus on climate collapse, nuclear disasters, asteroid impacts, uncontrollable viruses, and so forth. Instead, “Paradise” is more about the characters’ interactions within their isolated environment, much like other shows such as “Silo,” “The Prisoner,” “Wayward Pines,” “From,” “The Good Place,” or even “Murder at the End of the World.” It could also be compared to a stranded spaceship setting, like in “Gilligan’s Island.” The key aspect is that they are trapped with no way to escape.

In another flashback, we learn about Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson), who was once a humble multibillionaire, shopping groceries with her family like any ordinary person. However, something shattered her – many characters in this series are fractured, making it almost a convention of emotional trauma. Now, she is the cold and efficient force driving what appears to be a government, though it’s more like a room full of powerful executives, or fat cats, with no resemblance to the real world. Just as most main characters, Nicholson delivers an extended dramatic speech to reveal her inner pain, and she does an excellent job of it, even if it’s not very reminiscent of Sinatra’s personality.

The story features a handful of romantic entanglements and subtle sexual elements that add spice, as well as a heartwarming budding friendship between Xavier’s daughter and the president’s son (Charlie Evans), which I wished was further developed. Sarah Shahi portrays Gabriela Torabi, a grief counselor who helps characters open up. Gerald McRaney takes on the role of Bradford’s stern father, reminiscent of Joe Kennedy, struggling with dementia; however, the exact severity is unclear. Krys Marshall appears as Agent Robinson, who seems to hold a position of authority over Xavier or acts that way. She has a hidden secret known only to the audience.

The actors are exceptionally convincing. Beaver skillfully blends his professional demeanor and casual persona into one consistent character, convincing in both settings (though more enjoyable in the latter). As Billy, Beavers delivers a heartfelt performance that isn’t typically required for this role. Marsden fits the part perfectly for those who would choose to have a drink with him, perhaps whiskey instead of beer. Nicholson excels at portraying an unlikable character, except in flashbacks, yet one can still view her as tragic in a somewhat Shakespearean manner.

Regarding the larger concept, you’ll need to imagine a colossal hook for suspending your disbelief. Apart from the technical and human hurdles involved in enclosing 25,000 individuals under an underground dome – a similar scenario was depicted in the series “Under the Dome” – creating a simulated city with amenities, amusement park attractions, and climate control systems is no simple feat, even with a dozen years of preparation time and a vast pool of private funds. The notion that this could be done covertly is, needless to say, preposterous. However, these types of shows have never been concerned about making sense.

It seems that Dan Fogelman, the creator of “This Is Us”, may be inviting viewers to ponder about real-world income inequality in a subtle way. In a flashback scene, Xavier’s daughter encounters trouble for a school project depicting an unjust distribution of wealth using doughnuts. This could be seen as a commentary on the privileged billionaire boys and their plans to retreat to private islands or colonize Mars when Earth is no longer habitable. Interestingly, Sinatra, who symbolizes this elite class, is portrayed as a woman in the show. Additionally, there might be hints about revolution. Although this topic is thought-provoking, it’s not the main focus of the series. Instead, the primary aim of “This Is Us” is to lead viewers through a series of revelations, keeping them guessing with ethical dilemmas and narrative twists and turns, ensuring that they never know exactly where the story is headed.

Apart from a second season.

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2025-01-28 22:31

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