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The Other Side of Paradise (2009)

The Other Side of Paradise

The Other Side of Paradise is a gem of a movie. It made me think, smile, and long to live more in Rose's (Arianne Martin's) quirky world. This has become one of my favorite road movies because of the ways writer director Justin Hilliard reveals his characters. We learn what a silver tongued fast talker Alex (John Elliott) is when he and Rose suffer the consequences in the Truth or Dare game. Jamie (Frank Mosley)is just the very best with dead pan humor. His initial meeting with hotel swingers Heather (Robin Read) and George (Jeff Fenter) is to be relished. Rose and Jamie's crusty father (Jodie Moore) and rejecting mother (Susana Looney) show us why kids can survive in spite of their parents. These people may be dysfunctional and you sure do love them. It should rank right up there with Little Miss Sunshine.