Review of Paradise: Hope (2013) by Jluis_001 — 28 Jul 2023

Paradise: Hope is a bold and thought-provoking film that deftly explores the intricacies of adolescence and the awakening of desires, while fearlessly tackling social taboos.

Set in a teen weight loss camp, the film follows the journey of Melanie, a 13-year-old girl navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence, especially considering the discomfort of battling overweight in a place where everything revolves around it.

But this is only a small part of this film, its dynamic is more focused on fearlessly facing uncomfortable issues of sexuality and the power dynamics between adults and adolescents when she develops a crush on her doctor who is way much older than her, who also has an unprofessional response to it.

Although Paradise: Hope is not intended to please the general public, its daring approach to sensitive issues and bold narrative choices are captivating enough to be really invested in what's developing on screen.

The film's intricacies go beyond the surface, cause it's never that simple, so it manages to provide a richer experience than it appears at first sight.