Mary Agnes Donohue adapted her French success
Le Grand Chemin for this American version, reworked as a vehicle for
Melanie Griffith and
Don Johnson. Paradise is a coming-of-age story about a 10-year-old boy named Willard (
Elijah Wood), who is sent by his mother to stay with her best friend Lily (
Melanie Griffith), who lives in the Delta shrimp-fishing country in a town called Paradise. Lily and her husband Ben (
Don Johnson) have been living in an unmentioned emotional vacuum since the death of their own three year old boy. Willard makes friends with the local 9-year-old tomboy, Billie (
Thora Birch), who teaches Willard to be comfortable with himself. When Willard gains a handle on his own emotions, he can now help Ben and Lily to connect, overcome grief and rediscover themselves. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide