Paradise, Texas (film)
Encyclopedia
Paradise, Texas is a 2005 family drama film directed by Lorraine Senna and starring Timothy Bottoms
, Ben Estus, and Meredith Baxter
. Premiering at the 2006 WorldFest Film Festival, Paradise, Texas received a Gold Remi Award. After a limited theatrical release
, the film was made available on DVD in October 2006.
despite schedule conflicts with a major movie role he's lined up for, because it will be filmed in his small hometown of Littleton, Texas
. Cameron sees the project as an opportunity to mend fraying relationships with his wife, Liz (Meredith Baxter), and sons Tyler (Dylan Michael Patton
) and Joe (Emilio Mazur). Cameron's frustration boils over when he learns he has been removed from his role in the upcoming blockbuster
because of his decision to work close to home. Cameron lashes out at the people around him, further alienating his family and wreaking havoc on the set. Cameron's child co-star
, CJ Kinney (Ben Estus) is particularly affected. CJ's desire for a performing career alienates him from his peers and family, especially from his overbearing father Cal (Brandon Smith). Interaction with CJ inspires Cameron to re-assess his priorities; ultimately, he opts to put his family and life in his hometown ahead of his career.
attempted distribution of the film, with limited success. The film premiered at the Angelika Film Center
at the opening night of Houston's WorldFest Film Festival on April 21, 2006, and followed with a one-week run there. It continued with a brief run at Angelika's Dallas theater. The film was released to DVD
on October 27, 2006.
). More broadly, the film's warmth led it to be seen as a success, measured against the standards of the family-oriented audience for which it was presumably intended. Three out of four Rotten Tomatoes
ratings for the film were positive.
Timothy Bottoms
-Early life:Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the eldest son of Betty and James "Bud" Bottoms, who is a sculptor and art teacher. He is the brother of actors Joseph Bottoms , Sam Bottoms and Ben Bottoms . In 1967, Bottoms toured Europe as part of the Santa Barbara Madrigal...
, Ben Estus, and Meredith Baxter
Meredith Baxter
Meredith Baxter , also known for some years as Meredith Baxter-Birney, is an American actress and producer. She is known for her acting roles including three television series: Family , an ABC television-network drama, Family Ties , an NBC television-network situation comedy, and Dan Vs. , a...
. Premiering at the 2006 WorldFest Film Festival, Paradise, Texas received a Gold Remi Award. After a limited theatrical release
Limited release
Limited release is a term in the American motion picture industry for a motion picture that is playing in a select few theaters across the country ....
, the film was made available on DVD in October 2006.
Plot
The film follows aging, overworked actor Mack Cameron (Timothy Bottoms) as he struggles to keep up with the demands of career and family life. Cameron accepts a lead role in a low-budget independent filmIndependent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
despite schedule conflicts with a major movie role he's lined up for, because it will be filmed in his small hometown of Littleton, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Cameron sees the project as an opportunity to mend fraying relationships with his wife, Liz (Meredith Baxter), and sons Tyler (Dylan Michael Patton
Dylan Patton
Dylan Michael Patton is an American actor and former model. He is best known for portraying the role of Will Horton on the NBC soap opera Days of our Lives from February 27, 2009 to January 20, 2010.-Days of Our Lives:...
) and Joe (Emilio Mazur). Cameron's frustration boils over when he learns he has been removed from his role in the upcoming blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
because of his decision to work close to home. Cameron lashes out at the people around him, further alienating his family and wreaking havoc on the set. Cameron's child co-star
Child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
, CJ Kinney (Ben Estus) is particularly affected. CJ's desire for a performing career alienates him from his peers and family, especially from his overbearing father Cal (Brandon Smith). Interaction with CJ inspires Cameron to re-assess his priorities; ultimately, he opts to put his family and life in his hometown ahead of his career.
Production
Developed under the working title On the Rocks, the film was directed by Lorraine Senna and written by Joe Conway, Tom Asina and Stephen Brian Dowdall. Most shooting was done on location in a small town outside of Houston for added realism. The William Morris AgencyWilliam Morris Agency
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
attempted distribution of the film, with limited success. The film premiered at the Angelika Film Center
Angelika Film Center
Angelika Film Center is a movie theater chain in the United States that features independent and foreign films. It operates theaters in New York City and Texas. Its headquarters are in New York City.-History:...
at the opening night of Houston's WorldFest Film Festival on April 21, 2006, and followed with a one-week run there. It continued with a brief run at Angelika's Dallas theater. The film was released to DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
on October 27, 2006.
Critical reception
Paradise, Texas won a Gold Remi Award at the 2006 WorldFest Film Festival. It received mixed reviews from film critics, who praised the film's cast, but dismissed the script as "cliche-ridden" and "contrived". Senna's direction was offered praise, (some of it backhandedBackhanded compliment
A backhanded compliment, also known as a left handed compliment, or asteism is an insult that is disguised as a compliment. Sometimes, a backhanded compliment may be inadvertent. However, the term usually connotes an intent to belittle or condescend...
). More broadly, the film's warmth led it to be seen as a success, measured against the standards of the family-oriented audience for which it was presumably intended. Three out of four Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
ratings for the film were positive.
Cast
- Timothy BottomsTimothy Bottoms-Early life:Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the eldest son of Betty and James "Bud" Bottoms, who is a sculptor and art teacher. He is the brother of actors Joseph Bottoms , Sam Bottoms and Ben Bottoms . In 1967, Bottoms toured Europe as part of the Santa Barbara Madrigal...
as Mack Cameron - Ben Estus as CJ Kinney
- Meredith BaxterMeredith BaxterMeredith Baxter , also known for some years as Meredith Baxter-Birney, is an American actress and producer. She is known for her acting roles including three television series: Family , an ABC television-network drama, Family Ties , an NBC television-network situation comedy, and Dan Vs. , a...
as Liz Cameron - Sheryl LeeSheryl LeeSheryl Lee is an American actress. She came to international attention for her performances as Laura Palmer and Maddy Ferguson on the 1990 cult TV series Twin Peaks and in the 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me...
as Betsy Kinney - Polly BergenPolly BergenPolly Bergen is an American actress, singer, and entrepreneur.-Career:Bergen appeared in many film roles, most notably in the original Cape Fear opposite Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum...
as Beverly Cameron - Rider StrongRider StrongRider King Strong is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Shawn Hunter on the 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World.-Early life:...
as Charlie - Brandon Smith as Cal Kinney
- Connie Cooper as Martha Neering
- Dylan Michael PattonDylan PattonDylan Michael Patton is an American actor and former model. He is best known for portraying the role of Will Horton on the NBC soap opera Days of our Lives from February 27, 2009 to January 20, 2010.-Days of Our Lives:...
as Tyler Cameron - Emilio Mazur as Joe Cameron
- Dallas Kiser as Melody Kinney
- J. Pittman McGehee as Farmer