Paradise Highway | |
---|---|
Directed by | Anna Gutto |
Written by | Anna Gutto |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | John Christian Rosenlund |
Edited by | Christian Siebenherz |
Music by | Anné Kulonen |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Lionsgate |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
Countries | United States Germany Switzerland |
Language | English |
Box office | $222,607[3] |
Paradise Highway is a 2022 thriller film written and directed by Anna Gutto in her feature length debut and starring Juliette Binoche, Frank Grillo, and Morgan Freeman.[1] An international co-production between the United States, Germany, and Switzerland,[4] the film was released in the United States on July 29, 2022, by Lionsgate.
Plot
To save the life of her brother, truck driver Sally reluctantly agrees to smuggle illicit cargo, a girl named Leila. As they begin a danger-fraught journey across state lines, a dogged FBI operative sets out on their trail, determined to do whatever it takes to terminate a human-trafficking operation and bring Sally and Leila to safety.
Cast
- Juliette Binoche[5] as Sally[2]
- Frank Grillo as Dennis[2]
- Morgan Freeman[6] as Gerick[2]
- Hala Finley[1] as Leila[7]
- Cameron Monaghan as FBI Special Agent Finley Sterling[2]
- Christiane Seidel as Claire[2]
- Veronica Ferres as Rose[2]
- Desiree Wood as Pattie
- Dianne McNair-Smith as Dolly
- Walker Babington as Terrence[2]
- Jwaundace Candece as Tesia[2]
- Jackie Dallas as Deborah[2]
- Jim Dougherty as Paul
Production
Filming occurred in Jackson and Clarksdale, Mississippi, in July 2021.[6][8] Filming also took place in Brookhaven, Mississippi.[9]
As of August 2021, the film was in post-production.[10] In October 2021, it was announced that Lionsgate acquired North American distribution rights to the film.[2]
Release
The film was released in theaters and on-demand in the United States by Lionsgate on July 29, 2022.[11][12][13][14] The film was also shown at the Locarno Festival in August 2022.[15]
Reception
Box office
Paradise Highway grossed $0 in North America,[11] and $222,607 in other territories.[3]
Critical response
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 17% based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 5.3/10.[12] It has an approval rating of 48 out of a 100 based on 5 reviews on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[16]
Joe Leydon of Variety called the film "A shrewdly constructed melodrama that does not transcend cliches and conventions so much as show how useful and effective they can be in the right hands".[17] Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com wrote: "Paradise Highway is the kind wayward, tonally muddled project an actress the caliber of Binoche would only sign onto if promises were broken and payback was required".[18] The New York Times's Concepción de León had this to say about Paradise Highway: "Though it is refreshing to see members of law enforcement focused on recovering and supporting a victim rather than pursuing her abusers, it does not allow for much narrative tension".[19]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Corder, Frank (July 2, 2021). "DPS Commissioner tells movie company the "hard-earned reputation" of MHP Troopers means "a hell of a lot to us"". Y'all Politics. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 19, 2021). "Lionsgate Boards Juliette Binoche, Frank Grillo & Morgan Freeman Thriller 'Paradise Highway'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- 1 2 "Paradise Highway (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDbPro. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (July 6, 2022). "Brad Pitt-Starrer 'Bullet Train' To Kick-Off Switzerland's Locarno Film Festival, Lakeside Festival Unveils 75th Edition Selections, Juries". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ Gagliano, Steven (July 2, 2021). "Production's use of MHP uniform prompts cease and desist letter". Supertalk Mississippi. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- 1 2 Fogas, Joey (July 3, 2021). "Tindell issues cease and desist for new film starring Morgan Freeman". Vicksburg News. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ Kit, Zorianna. "Meet 'Paradise Highway' Actress Hala Finley". Casting Networks. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ "The magic that Mississippi offers to international film productions". Screen Daily. July 1, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ Campbell, Brett (August 25, 2021). "Wesson family becomes 'Yellowstone' family". The Daily Leader. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ↑ Rawden, Jessica (August 11, 2021). "Morgan Freeman Reveals The Career First He Got To Do With Ryan Reynolds On The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard". CinemaBlend. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- 1 2 "Paradise Highway (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- 1 2 "Paradise Highway". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (July 10, 2022). "'Paradise Highway' Trailer Has Morgan Freeman and Juliette Binoche Caught in a Human Trafficking Operation". Collider. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ McArdle, Tommy (July 7, 2022). "See Juliette Binoche and Morgan Freeman in Pulse-Pounding Trailer for Paradise Highway". People.
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan (July 6, 2022). "Locarno Film Festival Lineup Includes Brad Pitt's 'Bullet Train'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ "Paradise Highway Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ Leydon, Joe (July 28, 2022). "'Paradise Highway' Review: Juliette Binoche and Newcomer Hala Finley Are On the Road and On the Run In a Solidly Crafted Thriller". Variety.
- ↑ Daniels, Robert (July 29, 2022). "Paradise Highway". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ↑ Concepción de León (July 28, 2022). "'Paradise Highway' Review: A Test of Loyalty". The New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
External links