Reviewing Movies

The death of a child often leads to marriage breakdown and such is the case with Ben and Lily Reid played here by former husband and wife Don Johnson and Melanie Griffiths. Therapy comes in many forms and in their case in the person of a pint-sized Elijah Wood who looks remarkably like the Frodo he played in later life. Brought to stay with Lily and Ben for the summer while his Mother has her baby Willard in all innocence opens all the old wounds, exposes all the hidden hurts, and reignites the love that had been so deeply repressed.

As the tomboy Billy, Thora Birch is priceless as the lonely girl next door thrilled to have a summer companion. Paradise may not live up to its name but it’s a place I’d like to visit, even vicariously through this movie.