Trapped in Paradise (1994)

10% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(11,283 ratings)

Three brothers who are inept criminals butcher one last attempt to pull off a big heist in this caper comedy. Bill Firpo (Nicolas Cage) is sick of thievery and has retired from crime to run an upscale restaurant in New York. But when his two brothers, Alvin (Dana Carvey) and Dave (Jon Lovitz), get… More Three brothers who are inept criminals butcher one last attempt to pull off a big heist in this caper comedy. Bill Firpo (Nicolas Cage) is sick of thievery and has retired from crime to run an upscale restaurant in New York. But when his two brothers, Alvin (Dana Carvey) and Dave (Jon Lovitz), get out of prison, Bill is sucked back into their world of crime. The three end up on the run and hide out in the small town of Paradise, PA. The friendly townspeople include a bank president (Clifford Moffat) whose trust in people has left his bank an easy target. The brothers can't resist lifting $275,000 from the vault. Unfortunately, Alvin drives their getaway car in circles and they end up back in town and get in an accident. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: George Gallo
Written By: George Gallo
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jun 1, 2004
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
Has enough in the way of sentiment and goofy situational predicaments to put it over as a serviceable family holiday attraction.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Even the weather seems tailored to the script's shifting needs.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's a minor holiday miracle that this homey comedy barely elicits even a chuckle.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Considering that there isn't a single laugh in the whole picture, the term 'comedy' must be used loosely.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
The question is, can a trio of amiable goofballs take you through a movie that's, well, not so great?
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
In no circumstances, even under threat of torture, admit to anyone that you were suckered into seeing this, one of the worst movies of the year.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This silly action comedy mixes brilliant production design -- it looks like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life -- and cloying sentimentality to no good effect.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
Cage looks cold most of the time, and has retractable stubble. The rest of the cast look like they're waiting for summer.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Harmless and totally familiar, it's better than static and informercials, but that's about the sum of it.
Alex Keen, Trades
Horrible. Terrible. Unfunny.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
A funny little movie
Steve Davis, Austin Chronicle
Undoubtedly, this is a movie only a Scrooge could love.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
None of this is funny.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

A bit fun and really dumb.
Wahida K

Mr Cage seem to be the keeper of a specific knowledge to play "innocent guy" in a Movie even as a gangster. lol. Very Funny Movie.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Three brothers (Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, Dana Carvey) with a streak of lawbreaking in them head to a small town in Pennsylvania called Paradise, intending to rob a ripe bank there. But the people in the community turn out to be so nice that the thought of ripping them off proves… More
Three brothers (Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, Dana Carvey) with a streak of lawbreaking in them head to a small town in Pennsylvania called Paradise, intending to rob a ripe bank there. But the people in the community turn out to be so nice that the thought of ripping them off proves difficult to imagine. A fun and funny movie. Great cast. Definitely not a serious type movie. Watch this just for a laugh and nothing more.
xGary X

Likeable comedy crime caper full of the usual stereotypes, but it did make me laugh.
Jason S

I remember this being ok when I saw it.
Dannielle A

It got better the second half through. You know those movies where you get so frustrated and aggravated at the main character because you want to like him so bad but he just goes around doing stupid things? That's this movie for the first half. Then it gets better. Unforgettable… More
It got better the second half through. You know those movies where you get so frustrated and aggravated at the main character because you want to like him so bad but he just goes around doing stupid things? That's this movie for the first half. Then it gets better. Unforgettable characters., amusing dialogue, and funny story line.
Yinalí R

This movie was totally awesome.
Marion R

Meh, Wasn't expecting much, didn't get much, one or two laughs in the beginning then the film starts to drag a bit.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Nicolas Cage as Bill Firpo

            Jon Lovitz as Dave Firpo

            Dana Carvey as Alvin Firpo

            John Ashton as Ed Dawson

            Mädchen Amick as Sarah Collins

            Donald Moffat as Clifford Anderson

            Richard Jenkins as Shaddus Peyser

            Florence Stanley as Ma Firpo

            Angela Paton as Hattie Anderson

            Vic Manni as Vic Mazzucci

            Frank Pesce as Caesar Spinoza

            Sean McCann as Chief Burnell

            Paul Lazar as Deputy Timmy Burnell

            John Bergantine as Clovis Minor

            Sean O'Bryan as Dick Anderson

            Richard B. Shull as Father Ritter

            Bernard Behrens as Doc Milgrom

            Al Cerullo as Helicopter Pilot

            Kay Hawtry as Rose Weyerhauser

            Marco Kyris as More People

            Jeff Levine as Man in Restaurant

            Richard McMillan as Agent #2

            Andrew Miller as Deputy Myers

            Vic Noto as Inmate #1

            Gerard Parkes as Father Gorenzel

            Vivian Reis as Lila

            Rocco Savastano as Inmate #3

            Scott Wickware as Agent Giardello

            Marcia Bennett as Bus Station Clerk

            Brett Miller as State Trooper

            Greg Ellwand as Cop #1

            Brian Kaulback as More People

            Bunty Webb as Hertha Wayerhauser

            Robert Thomas as Agent #3

            Jack Heller as Chief Parole Officer
See full cast

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