Paradise

Johnson, an underrated film actor, is genuinely moving as he reveals his sardonic s.o.b’s well-hidden heart...

None of it is spectacular on its own, but cumulatively, it develops considerable power.

Paradise does have real qualities. Two of them are the kids, played by Elijah Wood and Thora Birch with strong, simple charm. I also admired the performances by Johnson and Griffith...

The moments are beautiful, strange, transient, often unpredictable, lyrical, and, of course, human.

At its simplest, and to its credit, Paradise is sweet.