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Come See the Paradise

Name: Come See the Paradise
Director: Alan Parker
Released: 1990
Duration: 133 min

Representation Score

7.6/10

Good

1990

Director

Alan Parker

Runtime

133 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Alan Parker uses this historical drama to question systemic structures and the human cost of institutional power. The film effectively revises history by dismantling romanticized Western myths and the 'Lost Cause' ideology. While it lacks representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and characters with disabilities, it excels in critiquing racial and social hierarchies. The narrative's strength lies in exposing the violence of agrarian capitalism and the decay of oppressive social orders.

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Category Breakdown

Does Come See the Paradise have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to conventional romantic storylines and does not emphasize queer identities or non-straight relationships.

How does Come See the Paradise portray gender?

Good

The story centers around the experiences of women, highlighting their resilience and intelligence in the midst of wartime chaos.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Come See the Paradise?

Good

The film addresses racial hierarchies by depicting the harsh realities faced by enslaved African Americans, avoiding any glorification of the past.

How does Come See the Paradise represent religion and culture?

Excellent

It challenges the idealized image of the 'Old South' by presenting the plantation economy as a corrupt and exploitative system. The film provides a sophisticated critique of traditional Western social structures.

Does Come See the Paradise include disability representation?

Limited

The film does not significantly address neurodivergence or physical disabilities. Characters with possible impairments are not central to the film's themes.

Present on Screen

Effective deconstruction of the 'Lost Cause' myth and Southern romanticism.
Nuanced exploration of women's ability to act and resilience within systemic constraints.
Sophisticated critique of the exploitative nature of the plantation economy.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and romantic arcs.
Minimal focus on neurodivergence or physical disabilities.
Limited engagement with non-straight social structures.

Official Synopsis

In this drama from director Alan Parker, on-the-lam Jack McGurn flees to Los Angeles and takes a job as a projectionist at a movie theater owned by a Japanese-American man. Jack falls for the owner's daughter, Lily, but they are forced to elope to Seattle when her father forbids the relationship. The couple marry and have a daughter, but when World War II breaks out, Jack is powerless to stop his new family's forced internment.

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