Credit to a movie that knows exactly what it is and stays in its lane, even if that lane pretty well-worn and predictable.
Such is the case with “Ticket to Paradise,” a lightweight romantic comedy that likely wouldn’t have made it past the Hallmark Channel if not for the mega-movie stars involved.
George Clooney and Julia Roberts, play David and Georgia, a pair of long-since-divorced parents who can’t stand the sight of each other.
David and Georgia have to put their long-standing feud on ice when their daughter Lily (Kaitlyn Dever) travels to Bali on a vacation trip after graduating from law school and falls in love with one of the locals, Gede (Maxime Bouttier).
Upon hearing of Lily and Gede’s engagement, David and Georgia hop on the first plane to Bali in agreement that Lily is making a terrible mistake by throwing her future away.
In spite of the young couple’s clear love for each other, David and Georgia are determined to sabotage the wedding. Hijinks ensue.
This is all about as low-stakes as it gets, but Clooney and Roberts bring all of their movie-star prowess to bear and prove why they have both been bankable box-office draws for the better part of three decades.
“Ticket to Paradise” is unquestionably in Roberts’ wheelhouse and while Clooney is slumming a bit here, the two have good chemistry and the skill to drag this movie across the finish line.
Director Ol Parker doesn’t have a ton of experience under his belt outside of “Mama Mia! Here We Go Again,” but he does know enough to stay out the way and throw Clooney and Roberts in front of as much dazzling South Pacific scenery as possible.
“Ticket to Paradise” feels very old fashioned, like something Clooney’s aunt Rosemary might have starred in with Rock Hudson. But again, it knows what it is and does a fine job of doing it, to which I tip my cap.
“Ticket to Paradise” is rated PG-13 for some strong language and brief suggestive material.
