Paradise, FL (2015) Online

I viewed this film at the 2015 Sarasota Film Festival, not far from its shooting locations. "Paradise, FL" is a good example of what a partnering of local professional and non-local professional cast and crew can create ---- a fresh and perceptive independent film that speaks to its target audience and beyond. With a budget under $0.5 million, this ensemble has made a work that demands watching---for its believable performances, efficient and straightforward camera-work, and clear-eyed writing/direction. So many coming-of-age stories are pat and predictable, and this one has its clichés but also some surprises. The title of the movie is alternately genius and ironic, for the Florida presented is both purgatory and paradise and those who experience it as the former will sense both the punitive and transformative notions of the story. This is also a Florida film that does not apply a musical score that is Jimmy Buffett-ed or reggae infused, just a knowing set of songs that fit various moods and situations. To think that this film was supported in crew and production staff with students from Ringling College and State College of Florida---and that the Cast, Director and Producers in a Q & A after the screening noted there was no difference in professionalism between the journeyman crew and Hollywood/NY professionals---bodes well for Indie work outside the corridors of the Hollywood model.

I saw this film at the Virginia Film Festival and honestly, I expected just another "indie" drama, that like so many other low budget films (under a Million), with no "A- List" actors would be cheesy, boring, and predictable.... what I got instead was a film that had me hooked after the first 5 minutes, and truly interested in the fates of the films well developed and believable characters right up to the very end. Easily Hollywood Studio quality, without the usual clichés, and bland plot lines of so many multi-million dollar flops produced by Hollywood these days. Solid feature film directorial debut for Morgulis who apparently had won a couple of awards for short-film documentaries prior to this undertaking. Excellent cinematography (some scenes had that almost surreal beauty you see in films like O'Brother Where Art Thou) and the soundtrack matched well with the mood throughout the movie, and set the pace when needed. Solid acting all around by the cast. Honestly no complaints, just a solid movie that delivered on all fronts. I'm glad my girlfriend "dragged" me to see it, instead of the film I wanted to go see, which ended up being a dud (we saw it the next day at the second screening). Overall, some minor flaws could be nit-picked, but the movie is definitely worth watching. Also, the title, "Paradise, FL" just fits perfectly in a sly and witty sort of way.