Today’s quick review: Trapped in Paradise. Bill Firpo (Nicolas Cage) has spent his whole life trying to keep his criminal brothers Dave (Jon Lovitz) and Alvin (Dana Carvey) in line. When Dave and Alvin are released on parole, they rope Bill into a foolproof scheme: robbing a small-town bank in Paradise, Pennsylvania. But as the brothers try to leave town with the cash, a series of obstacles keep them in Paradise long enough to reconsider their actions.
Trapped in Paradise is a crime comedy about a trio of bungling criminals who find themselves trapped in the small, welcoming town they’ve just robbed. Trapped in Paradise features the comedic talents of Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey as the cartoonish Firpo brothers. The movie derives most of its humor from their ill-fated attempts to leave town by car, bus, or even sleigh, all while trying and failing to remain inconspicuous.
Unfortunately, most of the film’s humor misses the mark. The Firpo brothers are all blunt, one-note characters. Alvin is a dimwitted kleptomaniac, Dave is a chronic liar, and Bill, the responsible one, struggles with his own criminal tendencies. These restrictive roles fail to make the most of a fairly talented cast. The brothers’ antics earn a few smiles from time to time, but most viewers will find the humor cheap, simplistic, and repetitive.
Still, Trapped in Paradise gets the basics right. The story isn’t a bad one by comedy standards, with the right blend of low-stakes criminal activity, serendipity, and heartfelt reflection. There’s enough substance to the plot to keep the film rolling, and the tone remains light and bouncy throughout. Trapped in Paradise has everything it needs to be a successful comedy except for the comedy itself, letting its promising cast and premise go to waste.
Watch Trapped in Paradise if you’re in the mood for a light, 90s-style comedy and aren’t feeling too particular about quality. The movie works well enough as a popcorn watch, but its limited characters and mediocre humor keep it from holding any real appeal. For a more darkly comedic take on a similar premise, try The Ladykillers. For a 90s-style comedy with more slapstick, try Mousehunt. For another crime comedy, try Bandits.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a decent story with a shaky comedic core.