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7.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Trouble in Paradise remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies where people talk fast, wear tuxedos, and treat lying as an Olympic sport, then yes. Watch it tonight. If you need your characters to have a moral compass or if you find black-and-white films boring, you’re probably going to hate this.
It’s honestly refreshing how little this movie cares about being 'likable.' Gaston and Lily aren't just thieves; they’re opportunistic vultures who happen to have great chemistry. They meet by pickpocketing each other, which is the kind of meet-cute that feels genuinely fun rather than forced.
Herbert Marshall has this way of walking into a room that makes everyone else look like they're struggling to stand up straight. He’s got that quiet, dangerous charm that you just don't see anymore.
I found myself wondering if anyone actually smells good in this movie. They spend so much time obsessing over Madame Colet’s perfume business that you almost forget they’re planning to rob her. It’s a nice backdrop, though. A bit more sophisticated than the usual 'rob the bank' stuff.
There’s this moment—maybe halfway through—where the tension in the room is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. The way the camera just sits there, watching them try to out-maneuver each other, is brilliant. It doesn't rush. It lets the silence do the heavy lifting.
It’s funny to think about how this compares to something like Barb Wire, which is basically the exact opposite of this movie in every way. One is about high-society deception, and the other is about... well, whatever was happening in the 90s. Both are weird in their own ways, I guess.
The pacing is a bit odd toward the end. It feels like the director suddenly realized they had to wrap things up and just decided to sprint to the finish line. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does feel like the movie runs out of gas just when it should be hitting the gas pedal.
Anyway, it’s a quick watch. You don't have to think too hard, but you might want to pay attention to the dialogue. Some of those lines are sharp enough to give you a papercut. 🍸
IMDb 5
1925
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