The heavily-promoted Ticket to Paradise reunites George Clooney and Julia Roberts for the fifth time and the first since Money Monster in 2016. They play David and Georgia, a divorced couple brought together again for the wedding in Bali of their daughter Lily (Kaitlyn Dever) to a local man, Gede (Maxim Bouttier), who she met just a few weeks earlier. They team up to try to prevent her from making the same mistake they did when they rushed into marrying 25 years previously.
This is total comfort viewing. The performances are assured from a cast that is not being stretched at all and the scenery, actually shot in Australia, is stunning. The story unfolds in a predictable way but with enough chuckles peppered throughout Ol Parker’s (who also directs) and Daniel Pipski’s script to ensure it does not drag at any point.
I would like to have seen more of a couple of the supporting characters. Lily’s friend Wren – played by Billie Lourd who starred in Booksmart with Deaver – had potential to be a more rounded character and fellow holidaymaker Genevieve Lemon has a couple of scene stealing appearances.
But sometimes, getting exactly what you expect is good enough, if it is done this well.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10