Club Paradise (1986)

Very well executed

A different way of telling a story

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Chicago firefighter Jack Moniker (Robin Williams) dreams of retiring to the Caribbean island St. Nicholas. He gets injured in a fire and takes the money to buy a rundown water front property. He acclimatizes to the locals. There is the British appointed governor Anthony Croyden Hayes (Peter O'Toole). Tourist Phillipa Lloyd (Twiggy) takes a liking to Jack. Minister of finance and tourism Solomon Gundy wants to take over Jack's reggae friend Ernest Reed (Jimmy Cliff)'s club over his back taxes. Solomon is working with developer Voit Zerbe to take Jack's property as well. Jack starts Club Paradise which brings in tourists such as best friends Barry (Rick Moranis) and Barry (Eugene Levy), New York Times travel writer Terry Hamlin (Joanna Cassidy), friends Mary Lou (Robin Duke) and Jackie (Mary Gross), and Linda White (Andrea Martin) and her plastic surgeon husband Randy (Steven Kampmann). Of course, there's no guarantee that the pilot (Joe Flaherty) can get them there.The SCTV gang have gathered a few friends to try for an island holiday comedy. The gang is doing wacky while everybody else is doing less wacky. With Robin Williams and Peter O'Toole, there should be more laughs. The material is not really up to par such as the one-glove joke. It's mostly a minor miss from Harold Ramis although it's great to see this group together. Also Carey Lowell looks hot.

Sooooo underrated!!!! First time I saw this movie was on TBS the super station's Dinner and A Movie and have loved it ever since. I hunted down a VHS copy years ago then had to upgrade to DVD as the VHS had gotten so wore out. Too many great lines from Robin Williams and Barry and Barry make the movie! "Look at these two aqua velva's" priceless. I wish more people knew about this movie, one of the better 80's vacation comedies. Check it out people, you wont be disappointed! Robin Williams was amazing and is known for so many bigger films but he is great in this. Not over the top but still delivers the laughs. One last note, "I could have done the same dive myself if I did't have the diarrhea"

I had to add a comment to this page because I couldn't believe that it only had a 4. something rating. I believe it deserves something much higher. I first saw this film about 15 years ago now, and ever since it has become one of my all time favorites. The comedy to the acting to the soundtrack all truly represent the best of 80's comedy film making. Either you love 80's films or you hate them. My husband hates them, which makes me wonder sometimes how I could've married a man that stands against everything I love about movies. The two Barry's are the best. "Barry - Barry... I scored"! I think I have watched this move about 50 times in my life and that is no exaggeration. I will watch it anytime its on. Jimmy Cliff delivers a soundtrack like no other. Every song could'va made one of his albums without anyone knowing it was Scored for a film. In fact I wish I could find where to buy the soundtrack as I have looked for years and have never been able to find it. Brian Doyle Murray is also hilarious in this film. Maybe it has to do with my childhood and experimenting with Reggae, and Drugs that made me fall in love with this film, but as I said it will always be one of my favorites and I hope everyone that loves 80's films gets to see this at least once.

Many comedies require their own set of rating considerations. Club Paradise is one of those. This slips into the "guilty of mindless fun" category. The movie does not stand on a strong story. The charm is in its Carribbean setting, the mostly reggae soundtrack, Jimmy Cliff's character and Robin Williams' character--while we're at it throw Peter O'toole in their too. Charm, charm, charm. The writing is borderline offensive, that is, if you watch the film with a highly critical mind. One might complain that dangerously negative stereotypes abound in this film. Maybe they do. My suggestion is to enjoy the popcorn and let the laughter roll. You can feel guilty later. Fun stuff.