Lost in Paradise (2011) User Reviews

One of a few good Vietnamese movies.

[lephuonglan75 · 8/10 · 20 February 2012]

A good job with regards to the fledling film-making industry in Vietnam. A relatively persuasive storyline and reasonable ending (although Hai revealed a more compelling substitution). The acting is still far from that of Hollywood stars. But we are in Vietnam, that is fair enough. I rarely like Vietnamese (new) movies now I like this.

Hai's previous roles in TV series like "Suddenly I wanna cry" or "Full house" are like rubbish to me. His starring in this movie is a good turn for him. A good beginning for Khoa also.

Sorry the movie did not bring tears to my eyes as it has done to lots of young ladies in Vietnam but I really respect your effort and believe in the future of Vietnamese movies.

not a movie which stays in your mind only temporary

[thethunderxnow · 8/10 · 26 July 2019]

I came here right after watching the movie. I am still pretty much blown away by the plot (and the ending) . The actors fitted in perfectly and did their job in making it more intense to watch.

+ I think this movie is timeless. Prostitution is still a horrific theme and it destroys many lifes because people are forced to do jobs like that to earn money. The movie makes you even more aware and transmits mixed emotions/ views of those who are affected.

It can even help you to rethink about life and your decisions. Always follow your path, even you might need to change it, you don´t have to be afraid of what comes next. Don´t be afraid of unfamiliar roads. Be free.

Lost in Paradise

[linh-april · 9/10 · 25 October 2011]

Sorry but I have to say the correct name of this movie is Lost in Paradise, not Lost Paradise. I watched it a few days ago, and I was moved to tears. It is a great movie. I love everything about it especially the music. In fact, it is the best Vietnamese movie I've ever seen. The story is simple, but it attracts viewers because it's REAL. I was most impressed with the prostitute. Just looking at her sad eyes made me have many mixed emotions. The story of the prostitute and the Smile man may not relate well with the love story of the two main characters. However, their acting is impressive. The ending is sad. I had expected this movie would not have a happy ending before watching it. However, when I saw the ending, I couldn't stop my tears ( sorry for being too sentimental). Highly recommend.

A heartfelt masterpiece.

[kimnvy · 10/10 · 9 June 2012]

I've heard a lot of hype about this movie being the first homosexual movie and usually when people hype things it turn out bad. However, I loved this movie; it lived up to my expectations and beyond. The storyline was touching, I was engaged and I felt what the people on screen were feeling. It left me speechless and I'm so touched by it!

For me, this is not the first homosexual movie in Vietnam, the first one I have seen was "Trai Nhay" which was more of a comedy and a pretty darn good one too. However, it does take a lot of gut to come out with a heartfelt homosexual movie in such a narrow minded society.

A lot of actors in this movie really surprised me. For example, I have seen Luong Manh Hai (Lam) acted before and I have to admit that this time he was superb. By far his best role, I honestly was convinced that he was gay. His partners Ho Vinh Khoa (Khoi) is another story, honestly, if I was gay this is the type of guy I would go look for. I felt that he was not portraying a character but he really is the character. He have all of these unique characteristics that people look for in the ideal world.

Although, I loved the heartfelt relationship and physical attraction between two very hot men, some of the conversations came out a little blunt. In addition, unless the director can connects the prostitute and smiley boy story with Lam and Khoi, then it was unnecessary to book Phuong Thanh and Hieu Hien.

Phuong Thanh as usual is not a very good actress; if her role was given to someone else I honestly would have cried. Hieu Hien however, blew me away, I have seen him in numerous other projects and he is not very good; in this one I really felt his pain.

Overall, this is a must watch movie. I'm proud that Vu Ngoc Dang can produce such a heartfelt and beautiful masterpiece. If this movie comes out in a movie theater near where I live I will definitely be promoting it.

Superbly emotional film

[rfinean · 10/10 · 5 November 2012]

Whilst it is very emotional viewing to see the story unfold, the director Ngoc Dang Vu has done a stunning job and the cinematography and pace of the film are superb. He and his writers clearly express a less-than-optimistic view on the affect prostitution has on these young people's lives, which of course may not be the same for everyone in every country but it certainly is a believable story for these young people in their poor circumstances.

There are a few love stories unfolding in the film and it's the least likely one that ultimately proves to be the strongest. When the cold-faced Lam explains to the young, scared Khoi that sex and love are not the same thing he's right. There's no resolution at the end, instead it is a memorable journey with 5 people and if you ever get the chance to see this film I thoroughly recommend it.

a so-so movie that i had expected too much in...

[dylanmortonx · 16 October 2011]

I watched the movie yesterday, but when i stepped out the movie theater, i didn't know how to express my idea. In general, this movie is somewhat acceptable, but it cannot make me say that: "oh, this is what i has been looking for, i was moved to tears when seeing it", no, absolutely not. I thought it would tell a love story of a normal man with another normal man, how and why they fell in love, how could they protect their love before preservative preconception, those are what i have expected. But all i had received was an old, very old story of the fate of prostitute in a new cover named "call boy". I already known that how they felt when they had to make love to get paid, how their lives went on, I know that it is so unhappy, sorrowful, painful.. and in this case, call boy or male prostitute has no exception, obviously, there is no turning back or escape when getting in. And the love of 2 men that i had expected didn't happen. What happened to Khôi and Lam that they called love was just a fragment of sympathy no more. If Khôi loved Lam, he would not have left Lam like that. besides, the storyline of Smile-man and the street side call girl was unnecessary, it just slow down the main story and add nothing new to watch, have it or not, it's no problem. In short, i have to say "it's acceptable" again though i didn't want to. For me, i love to say "great" or "bad" for all kinds of movies especially to Hollywood movies, but, this is exception. Maybe i must lower my taste a little bit to give Vietnam young film-makers a big hand for their effort although it was not fully impressive.

Great Movie! 7/10 would recommend

[puydestroyer · 9/10 · 10 March 2018]

I'm putting on spoiler alert just in case. I came across this movie while watching random BL and I didn't see the movie poster untill now, so i'll be posting both reviews before and after watching the poster. BEFORE: This movie was well-tailored. The cast was in character and their acting was realistic. Though I didn't get the happy ending for the boys but I did enjoy the movie nonetheless. Most of the reviews are centered around the boys only and are totally ignoring the second story-line calling it "unnecessary". However, I think the whole idea of the movie is about prostitution, like how people are brought into this profession without a "way out" as one of the characters implies. Both stories have their own protagonists who were brought into this profession for their own reasons and have been living a horrible life until they meet someone who loves and cares for them showing them that there is, most certainly a "way out". They are both successful in quitting their jobs in their own ways (one by dying(?) and the other by killing their employer).

The movie could also be perceived as a message that not everyone in our lives are meant to stay and some are just here to teach us lessons. All in all it's a must watch and I appreciate the hard-work and patience the cast and crew has put into this unique piece of art.

AFTER: Well, now I realize why people were calling the second story-line as "completely unnecessary". Since I don't know Vietnam's tolerance to homosexuality, I think this poster was meant to attract people's attention to the movie.