TV Review: ‘Paradise’

in Movie

Reading Time: 8 mins read

Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

‘Paradise’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Premiering on Hulu with its initial three episodes on January 28th followed by a weekly schedule for the remaining five, ‘Paradise’ is the latest show from Dan Fogelman, who last brought us the hugely successful (and massively tear duct-targeting) cross-generational family drama ‘This Is Us’.

Here, Fogelman is channeling more of a another show he’s been involved with (albeit more as a consultant than a showrunner), ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ though the tone here is much more geared towards mystery box thriller than the comedy stylings of the Steve Martin series.

Still, it certainly shares some elements in kind with Fogelman’s heavy network hitter, not the least of which is the presence of that show’s breakout star Sterling K. Brown, here the full lead of ‘Paradise.’

And like ‘This Is Us,’ there’s more to ‘Paradise’ than its basic logline suggests, but we’ll leave that for you to discover.

Is ‘Paradise’ a place worth visiting?

(L to R) Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

While trying to tiptoe around talking about ‘Paradise’s true nature is a frustrating experience from a critic’s point of view, that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty about the show that we can recommend.

Fogelman has clearly not lost his touch with character building, and he and the writing team make this an appealing place in which to spend time because the people filling it are complex and compelling.

Brown’s in particularly could have come across as starchier than his well-pressed suits, but as lead Secret Service agent Xavier Collins, assigned to protect a former President (James Marsden) who discovers him dead, he brings real life to the character.

Oh, and the whole dead President thing is in the trailer (and the opening minutes of the show), so we’re safe talk about that.

While not every subplot works as well as others (a growing friendship/potential relationship between Xavier’s daughter Presley played Aliyah Mastin and Charlie Evans as the late leader’s son Jeremy) feels particularly trite, though the actors still bring real charm, it’s mostly a dynamic, easy-to-enjoy series.

Script and Direction

(L to R) James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

Fogelman brings plenty of what made ‘This Is Us’ so damnably captivating here, and the ongoing mystery plot means it also isn’t always going for your heartstrings (though there’s still plenty of that, with some well-earned moments of emotion).

He and the rest of the writers clearly enjoy playing with time, and though some of the flashbacks dotted around most of the episodes can occasionally be grating (with one or two hard to figure out exactly when they take place), they’re largely effective.

As a mystery set in a small town heavy with secrets, ‘Paradise’ certainly keeps you guessing, and almost every character has something about them that’ll make you wonder about their true motivations. It also helps that the writers have cooked up some complicated personal connections between the various personalities who call Paradise home.

Visually, the directors (Hanelle M. Culpepper,Stephen Williams and ‘This Is Us’ helmers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa handle the various episodes), bring a real sense of style and energy to the scenes, especially in certain flashbacks.

‘Paradise’: Performances

With Brown as its confident core, ‘Paradise’ supports him with a great ensemble.

Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Cross

Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

Brown, who did such good work as Randall Pearson on ‘This Is Us’ here shines as the conflicted Agent Cross, a man dedicated to protecting his boss but also burning with grief and resentment over some past issue between them. What’s that issue? That would be telling, but it’s worth noting that we’re introduced to Xavier as a single dad still mourning a lost wife.

And, as referenced earlier, Brown makes the character work so well, bringing his trademark blend of straight-arrow hero and complicated charm to the role.

James Marsden as President Cal Bradford

James Marsden in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

Marsden’s President is a slightly smarmy, often drunken take on a Kennedy type of Commander in Chief, but the actor’s innate likeability still shows through the flaws and moods.

And yes, in case you were wondering, he does appear in more than the first 10 minutes of the show thanks to extensive flashbacks.

Julianne Nicholson as Samantha Redmond

Julianne Nicholson in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

Nicholson plays Samantha Redmond, a member of the President’s coterie whose nickname is “Sinatra,” but to say much more about her would be to get too deep into the initial mystery.

Suffice to say, however, that Nicholson takes a role that could be one-note and, thanks to clever use of her own flashbacks, makes it work.

Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi

Sarah Shahi in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

A genius psychologist brought in to help with the murder investigation, Torabi is a good role for Shahi, and she brings her usual likeability and spine of steel to the part.

Gerald McRaney as Bradford Sr.

Gerald McRaney in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

McRaney, another ‘This Is Us’ alum, is good value as Cal’s crochety father who is still imposing despite a slow decline in health.

Final Thoughts

Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.

How you react to ‘Paradise’ might depend on your tolerance for mystery box shows that dole out information piecemeal. However, unlike some recent examples, Fogelman’s effort puts some of its bigger cards out on the table early, allowing you to then delve into the wider story.

The characters for the most part work well and the writing, while occasionally overwrought, services a game cast.

And even the odd trope, such as one character promising to reveal what they know leading to an entirely predictable murder shortly thereafter is tweaked in such as way as to keep you from rolling your eyes too hard.