I’m an absolute sucker for Rom-Com, so when I saw ‘Ticket to Paradise’ featuring some of the rom-com greats- George Clooney AND Julia Roberts, I had to give it watch it. Besides learning that Julia Roberts never ages, the movie takes place in Bali, so it’s pretty interesting. Clooney and Roberts’s character’s daughter falls in love with a man she meets in Bali and announces she’s getting married the next week, so they go over to stop it from happening. Not because they don’t like the man, the seaweed farmer is super dreamy- the two just deeply regret getting married themselves. You can string together the rest of the story; it’s a 10/10 on the cheesiness scale. 

 

It’s a straightforward watch and one that you could watch with your parents and not feel awkward at any given time (this is an excellent measure for a rom-com). However, it is super duper Americanised. This is not a bad thing; however, it would do even better if it were more British humour based. Miss Roberts would have been cringing at a few lines she was given. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 56% which is valid. The main comments were ‘A-list stars, beautiful scenery, and a lighthearted romcom story–what else could you want from Ticket to Paradise?’ I could not have said it any better myself. Additionally, because they have cast two of the most prominent actors in the world to play sideline characters, they completely take over the film. Their dynamic and chemistry take the lead over the soppy plot we are given for the main characters. It’s quite cute really and it did make me wonder if after so many films together Clooney and Roberts do have some real chemistry.

 

The videography within this movie is insane-the locations filmed are picturesque. However, a lot of it is not Bali, and although it gives the Island great publicity, it’s not an accurate picture of what it is like. This may result in more Americans being in Bali than Australians. Who would have thought? The budget for this film is out the gate, so I would not be surprised if it were made to attract more tourism. If it is, it’s my favourite tourism advert ever; I appreciate the effort big time. I was actually shocked to find it was not produced by Netflix as it really matched their style of, well, everything. 

 

I’d give it a watch. It’s no tear jerker, but it is super pleasant and uplifting for a cold winter’s night in NZ. 

 

6.5/10