Ticket to Paradise: A plan-plan romcom despite its star duo [critique]

George Clooney and Julia Roberts pretend to argue in Bali in this story that is ultimately too harmless to convince. Damage.

What happens to George Clooney ? This year, his action comedy Wolfswhich marked his reunion with his good friend from Ocean'sBrad Pitt, was poorly received on Apple TV+. To the point that its sequelwhich was announced before the film's broadcast, was canceled by the streaming platform.

Two years ago, already, the star ofEMERGENCIES was already banking on reunions linked to Steven Soderbergh's successful heist films: in the rom-com Ticket to Paradiseit was his ex-lover of the trilogy that he gave the answer, Julia Roberts. For an unfortunately unconvincing result.

As the film is scheduled this Sunday on TF1, we are sharing our review again.

Is George Clooney (still) a movie star?

Two insufferable (and apparently very rich) mutts who can't stand each other since their divorce must forget their resentments to attend their daughter's wedding in Bali, and perhaps hope to sabotage it…

It happens from time to time, this kind of film which doesn't even try to be of its time by promising us to see two enormous superstars playing tourists while arguing in a dream landscape. Even if we don't believe for a moment in their mutual hatred, Julia Roberts and George Clooney are always great when they are arguing over a yes or a no, and we could watch that over and over. A real rich man's problem, in itself.

It's difficult, for example, to resist Clooney who pretends to speak Italian so as not to have to chat with his neighbor from business class by plane. The problem is that the film, much too long, ultimately avoids its enjoyable comedy subject to move into serious romance mode about life choices and their serious consequences. The supporting roles just outlined deserved better too (Lucas Bravo, the handsome chef of Emily in Parisand Billie Lourd fromAmerican Horror Storyboth suggest a lovely gravity), as too often. Basically: too many roms and not enough com for our tastes. Fortunately, the end credits include an unexpected blooper, with a good joke about Brad Pitt… and a little thing both funny and embarrassing (for George) about Batman, which would almost be a real reason to see the film. all alone.

Trailer:

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