User Reviews

I'm a pastor. Whoever wrote this movie has been on the inside of Christian, legalistic fundamentalism, so the film is insightful. Not all fundamentalism is exactly like this, of course, but it's some version of it, whether more or less extreme. I define Christian fundamentalism as a Christianity in which man-made rules (as opposed to Biblical commands) are held to be on par with Scriptural commands. Legalism comes in when a breaking of those man-made rules or Biblical commands is made the basis upon which a person is viewed (judgmentally) either as a "good Christian" or a "bad Christian." Having been in ministry 27 years, including a stint as a campus minister at Indiana University (at which the graduation scene of this movie is filmed), I've never seen legalism or fundamentalism turn out well for those who've been under it--never. The most anti-Christian students I ever talked to about the gospel on campus were not those with no religious background or with another religion, but those coming out of Christian fundamentalism. In such an environment, the attempt of the parents or pastors is to keep those under them faithful by adding rules and threats. Ironically, the result is always disillusionment and crises of faith as the persons in these environments begin to see the inconsistencies and lack of love that is part-and-parcel of these environments. Those who grow up in this environment either leave the Church altogether permanently or for at least two years go through a rebellion stage before returning. This film examines this rebellion/leaving from two helpful angles in the characters of Esther and Gabriel. While the film doesn't get to a helpful conclusion of the necessity of rejecting mad-made rules and embracing Scripture's actual directives in an environment of grace, it is a very-healthy and needed warning against the backfiring nature of beyond-Scripture regulations. I appreciated this movie greatly, and will be recommending it to lots of folks.

Here's a piece of work that really gets at the heart of what it means to have faith. In whom do you place your faith? A supreme being? A book? A church? A minister? This film is an intelligent, well-told and well-acted dramatization of a young woman's struggle to go against what she has been told and think for herself. If you have lived in a small American town you have encountered the kinds of people this film depicts; you will recognize both their sincerity and their cruelty. And maybe you will think about how some people wield power, and how others can go through life without ever questioning their submission.

One tangential remark: there's a lot of discussion about how the film is a modern-day retelling of the Good Samaritan parable. It isn't really. Google that parable, read the details about what the story meant in Jesus' time, and you'll see why. But the dissimilarity doesn't detract from this film.

I loved it. The film touched me deeply and it is one I will watch again. I thought it was very well written, the dialogue was real, and the actors were very convincing. Andie Redwine has written a script from the heart, and it shows. Heather Wallis, as Esther, did a fantastic job in this film. I don't know if the plot is based on a true story or not, but Heather was totally believable in her struggle with her faith and the film brought to light a real issue of religious abuse, which is often ignored in society. Dane Seth Hurlburt, as Gabriel, was also well cast as the caring friend, who ultimately falls for the girl. The film is a good mix; the heavy religious cult theme is balanced with entertaining and even light-hearted scenes. I also enjoyed the the location shots as I live in Southern Indiana where parts of the film were shot. In summary, I certainly don't consider myself a movie critic, but I know what I like. Well worth a couple hours of your time.

This move is something that should have been brought to everyones attention. With an excellent script, great acting/cast and a story that will touch and enlighten anyone who watches it, how can you go wrong.

I saw this amazing film at the festival in Oklahoma city, and saw it twice. Its amazing that the film not only did its research (which means that it is very accurate in its portrayal of some of the churches and cults out there) but it really informs everyone that if you open your mind and heart, you will see the world and your life clearly To sum up my view of this movie, I see them getting a few awards for best indie film and best screenplay. Oscar anyone?

A very enjoyable movie about a girl living in a very uber-cult-like Christian sect and what happens when she intersects with a more moderate to liberal world. In fact moderation is a good word for the film. It is about finding normalcy amongst so much information and so many influences. It is not a preachy movie, but it is about being OK to have something to believe in. It is funny and entertaining and the young star is adorable, Heather Wallis is like a younger Ellie Kemper. Dane Seth Hulbert plays Gabriel, a grocery store employee who becomes many things to Ester, He is the irritating sand in her oyster shell, as she is trained in belief and he is someone who chooses which thoughts to think. Oliver Luke plays Mark, Gabriel's friend and roommate. The sort of second banana that you would find in Jack Black, but to the films credit the funny and entertaining moments are well balanced between the three main characters. The movie has been accepted to 17 film festivals, which says something about it's attraction to a fairly wide audience. I saw it at the Idyllwild Film Festival and it was well received and I really enjoyed it.

I saw Paradise Recovered when it was screening at the Film Courage Interactive in Los Angeles a couple years ago, and met Andie Redwine (screenwriter) and Storme Wood (director), who were both great people. It sort of makes sense that they would make a great film. I see a lot of bad indies - more specifically indies that try desperately to be profound, or memorable, or poignant - but what surprised and delighted me was that Paradise Recovered was a real gem in a haystack. It was a perfect marriage of a smart, witty script, unforced, seamless direction, and two natural, likable leads. It was simple and ultimately powerful without ever trying. It certainly could have been preachy, full of itself, and over-dramatic, but Andie's script - and from what I've heard it's largely autobiographical, about growing up around a "cult" - feels really authentic and delivers a tangible message. Definitely worth checking out. I wouldn't steer you wrong.

Andie Redwine has written a script that is entertaining, humorous, but socially significant in a culture splintered between conservative totalism and liberal totalism. Andie provides a contrast between two sets of men, both father-son. Philip doesn't accept his father's beliefs totally, but plays the game for his own selfish reasons. Gabriel also rejects his father's beliefs, but openly admits the fact. The two fathers are ministers - one focused on rules and control, the other focused on relationship and grace. The two sons woo the same woman - one for his own selfish motives, the other out of concern for Esther. The film is about the insidious abuse of cults, but it provides a contrast between real men who are comfortable with difference and cowards who try to force others to be carbon copies of themselves.

Today, movies about sincere and highly intelligent Christians are nonexistent. This movie continues that trend. Esther, as expected, "gets religion" when troubled and heads straight for a mind-controlling "fundi" cult. When she gets a job outside, the movie is praised for avoiding the "liberal salvation" bit which would turn her into a smarter, cooler (or "hotter") atheist, saved to liberalism. But being "different" isn't enough for a movie to be genuinely good.

The intelligent Christian who thrills to the Gospel, knows theology, church history, and has a passion for things "Christ" will probably be bored. Face it, we've read C.S. Lewis, Solzhenitsyn, Bunyan, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and other genius Christians. Take Richard Wurmbrand, for instance. He left atheism (with his wife) to become the Jewish/Christian Romanian pastor and folk-hero who, after 14 years of torture, founded a human rights organization to protect Christians. He spoke over ten languages. These "faith movies" really need to try harder--a lot harder.

I had the privilege of seeing the Texas premier of this film. Paradise Recovered looks into the life of Esther, a woman who is a true believer in a very totalitarian religious cult. Bad things happen (I won't give away the plot twists) and Esther encounters real faith, relationships, freedom, and love.

The film is beautifully shot. The lighting, in particular, really caught my attention. In one scene, Esther walks up to a house in the morning and you can see the sun peeking through the trees. The light is not only a beautiful shot, but also a good metaphor. The costumes are spot-on. The dialog is strong in most scenes. Even the crowd scenes show finesse.

Overall, this was a beautiful view into a world that's not remotely beautiful. I'm glad to see an intelligent film tackling this tough issue in a grace-filled way.

Refreshing and moving. A film that successfully navigates between twin perils: the tendency of independent work to focus on attitude instead of character and story, and the inability of many self-identified Christian films to achieve universally potent drama (a common problem for any genre that strains to please a particular audience).

At issue is young Esther's deep need to live with her faith as a guiding light instead of being suspended in it like an insect in amber. When she starts a job out of a sense of duty to her oppressive caretaker family, she's exposed to the possibilities of a life outside her experience of strict, faith-based control. She finds new friends in her employer and his roommate (a couple of basically decent, slightly scruffy, more worldly young men) but this only increases the pressure on her heart and soul.

A deft script and light-touch direction let the passionate lead performances shine - though nary a cardboard cut-out is to be found either in the writing or the acting. Ultimately life-affirming in ways all kinds of viewers can relate to, I'll remember many moments of Esther's struggle for a long time.

This movie has a lot more depth than to say it is about spiritual abuse which it isn't. This movie is about true love which has no religion and can be only expressed through kindness. The young woman in the film had a troubled childhood and was essentially looking for God to provide her with answers. She ended up in a cult like church run by a tyrannical minister that used religion for control and domination. Her courage to get a job outside the church started her journey with a "free spirited" young man who showed her true love isn't about religion and God is about love. I connected with the "free spirited" young man who wasn't bound by any religion, but had a philosophy of kindness and love that changed the young woman's life.

Heather Wallis plays Esther—a woman who is so wrapped up in the teachings of her strange little church that she doesn't realize that it is cult-like in many, many ways. She is encouraged NOT to think, to follow her preacher's dictates without question and to see sin in just about everything. In effect, her life is joyless and oppressive—but it's also the only life she knows. She simply accepts the group's rules and assumes that this will lead to a happy life. One thing she thinks will make her happy is the marriage that her minister has arranged for her with his son—as women are not allowed much say in who they marry and traditional daring is forbidden. However, when this son pushes her into premarital relations, the pair are caught and SHE is blamed and ostracized. With no place else to go, her employer and his roommate take her in and show her great love. They also show her a much more worldly view of life and teach her about little pleasures—like movies, music and skinny-dipping. However, after this brief but enjoyable foray into life outside her church, Esther is conflicted. The church offers security—and all she needs to do is throw herself on their mercy, never ask any questions and live out the life they've chosen for her. At the same time, however, her boss, Gabriel (Dane Hurlburt) has fallen for her and really cares about what happens to her. With some help from his goofy roommate, Mark, and Gabriel's father (who is a minister), they decide to not just let Esther get pulled back into this old life without a fight.

This story clearly is a re-imagining of the old Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. While the supposedly good people of Esther's cult have cast her aside and cared nothing for her, an agnostic who is fundamentally decent cares for this sad and wounded woman. I like the concept a lot and thought the film was extremely well written and engaging—especially since the picture does NOT come off as heavy-handed or dogmatic in the least. Believers and non-believers can both enjoy the film and the movie does not seem like an attack on religion—more of an attack on dogmatic religion that is bereft of love or true spirituality. My only qualm is that there is some cursing in the film and I know that some very religious folks who would benefit from watching the film and its message might choose not to watch it simply because of a few words. But on balance, this is a good film—and an excellent one to watch with your teens. Unlike most films, this one seems to have something to say and has a depth about it that I appreciated without coming off as fake or clichéd. Overall, it's well worth seeing—and clever in its presentation of a familiar story.

I'm not really sure on what side this movie fell, whether born-again or judgment-withheld ... as in trusting in one's opinion not avoiding God's judgment ... and therein lay part of its charm, I guess. Actually, the moral was probably fairly clear, in favor of individual choice, although I had to think as our hero railed against arranged marriages that they aren't all that bad. They have worked for centuries for many cultures. From the few I have seen up close, parents from that tradition seem pretty good at picking partners for their children, probably out of love. Even in the occidental culture, many marriages of convenience which could be viewed pretty much as the same thing except it's the spouses themselves who make the choice seem to work pretty well because they focus on the goal, not wild romance. I was shocked once when a boss I had who was getting his psychology degree nights said that of course once a couple fell out of love, that's when they should consider divorce; that to me is when the couple should really begin to work on the marriage with, if they put individual desires aside, sometimes wonderfully satisfying if not passionate results. About the same time another psychology grad admonished me that my toddler daughter should be allowed to embarrass herself in public. I won't go into detail here but, a psychology grad myself, hence the not very remunerative profession at this point, I had to wonder ... what are they teaching people in psychology school today?

But I digress on my soapbox. What struck me as I watched Paradise Recovered is that this is a movie to which that guy you know could relate, that is, if you can drag him to what could also be called a chick flick. You know that guy ... the one who doesn't go to church while his wife does. My stepfather was like that. Mom and us went to church on Sundays and Dad showed up for holidays and special events. Rest of the time he had other things to occupy his mind. It might not have been that he didn't have special spiritual ideals. He just preferred to honor them on his own, and I can see that spending his Sundays tinkering in a warm but briefly unoccupied house and allowing his mind to roam might have been a healing he needed before he began the rat race every week.

With this movie, I liked that there was a point at which I didn't know who would win, and if the filmmakers would come down on a particular side although I guess I should say I did have a clue; but there was a certain amount of suspense. You'll probably really like the buddies, and especially the comic half; I hope I'll get to see these guys, and the gals, too, again. I looked up the bio of the guy who played the minister and though his role was not flashy just an opportunity for solid even brilliant acting, boy, does he work; so these folks don't work just in Christian-type films, no, far from it. But it's also nice to see a film that really falls into the mainstream that nevertheless deals with Christian values and accurately. I haven't really encountered a church quite like the one our heroine seems trapped by, but I have visited cults and they do make no sense. Their appeal appears to emotional.

If you're kind of normal, you'll probably like this film ... maybe even if you aren't that normal. Some of the characters weren't ... and were, both. Kind of like real life :)