All is not as it seems in

Paradise Hills

by Kathia Woods

Paradise Hills is a fantasy postcard brought to you via costume designer first-time director Alice Waddington.

“Paradise Hills” is an island that specializes in reforming young women. These young women aren’t your average young women but privileged young women. Some of the affliction they suffer from are not agreeing to marry the right man, not living up to one’s mother beauty standards, and the audacity to make original music.

Emma Stone leads this band of misfits as they work their way through various workshops that include exercise, beauty regiments, and intense therapy. Uma portrayed by Emma Roberts is suspicious of everything.

Roberts has amassed a career portraying the indie darling. She has a strong following, and perhaps this inspired by Alice Waddington to cast her. The 24-million-dollar question, in turn, is what convinced Roberts to accept a role in such a mess of a script.

Two things are going in with this movie intent and delivery. The plan was to create a movie about women empowerment; however, that's not what's on the screen

The film is a mess. The message is unclear and the performances underwhelming. Milla Jovovich as the Duchess is lackluster. She does not have the emotional range to play such a role, however, in her defense, the script wasn't very inspiring. Danielle MacDonald is one of the positives of this movie. Fresh of her turn in “Birdbox” she manages to deliver some charm and humor. Eliza Gonzalez is the tortured singer who isn’t allowed to sing her songs. I’m still trying to determine if she is the bad girl or big sister to the bunch. Awkwafina is the most underused actor in this movie. She has no purpose.

The message the director, as well as the cast, kept emphasizing was women empowerment. These women were supposed to represent resistance however none of that was present in the movie. As a woman, I didn’t feel empowered I felt tortured for being subjected to watch this film that lacks direction.

The one positive about this film is the costuming. The white dresses the girls are made to wear are stylish and well-tailored. The location of the film is also beautiful.

In the end, intention did not meet the delivery, and great costumes don’t translate to a good movie.

Diversity- A woman/Latina directed this movie, and the leads were women.

Scale- I give this movie a four for the costumes and scenery.