48
Metascore
18 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliThe exceptionally strong cast showcases American, British, and Australian actresses, all of whom show an astonishing willingness to appear in physically unflattering circumstances (no makeup, hair and skin caked with drying mud).
- 75San Francisco ExaminerSan Francisco ExaminerIt's a beautiful movie. Too beautiful for its own good, really.
- 63The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenGiven the predictable scenario, this picture needs passion, and all it gets is his workmanlike precision. What he's constructed is worthy enough, and certainly navigable, but you need more than the bricks of craft to build a road to paradise.
- 60The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenIn trying to keep track of everybody while providing enough melodrama to sustain an atmosphere of controlled terror, Paradise Road stumbles all over itself and never really finds its center.
- 50Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertBut what the movie lacks is a story arc to pull us through.
- 50Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversWhat should have been an affecting film becomes a rank blend of sentiment and sadism in the hands of Bruce Beresford, the Australian writer and director.
- 50San Francisco ChroniclePeter StackSan Francisco ChroniclePeter StackA big problem in the beautifully shot movie, with top-billed Glenn Close heading a fine ensemble cast, is that there are too many characters.
- 50Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumBut the inspirational aspects of the tale--which mainly has to do with the determination of Close to form a vocal orchestra at the camp, despite the class divisions between the women--never quite carry the dramatic impact they're supposed to.
- 50Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe story has charming and uplifting moments as well as strong performances by an impressive cast.
- 40Austin ChronicleSteve DavisAustin ChronicleSteve DavisUltimately, Paradise Road is one of those well-intended films that doesn't completely succeed because it shortsightedly believes that its eloquent subject matter is enough, in and of itself, to create a memorable moviegoing experience.