Ruby in Paradise MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

Ruby Lee Gissing (Ashley Judd) moves to a Florida resort haven to escape her "Bible Belt" Tennessee roots. Low on money and without employment, she manages to land a job as clerk in a small retail store. The owner's son, Ricky, flirts with Ruby and against her better judgment she goes out with him. Soon she realizes she is only one in a string of many for Ricky. Then Ruby meets Mike, a nursery gardener, an idealistic young man who yearns to right the wrongs of the world. Unfortunately Ruby does not share his high ideals. A recent winner of the Sundance Film Festival, RUBY IN PARADISE reflects its low budget in its lack of special effects and simple shots. However, the dialogue and plot situations are exceptionally realistic. It is an intimate look into a young woman's thoughts searching to understand her roots and their relevance. RUBY IN PARADISE will have limited audience appeal and will probably appear in "art" theatres.

Although she has been raised in a fundamental Christian family, Ruby has obviously not made these values her own. On the other hand, Mike apparently believes in the existence of Absolute Truth and is open to the fact that it might reside in the Christian faith. Ruby tells him she grew up "under the Law" of God and found only guilt and shame. The only peaceful and happy character is a young Hindu woman who appears on screen just long enough to make her point. She tells Ruby not to try to figure out the rights and wrongs of life because that is "too complicated." Pathetically, no satisfactory answers are given to Ruby's vitally important questions, other than Christianity is not the answer. How truly "90's." Although only one obscenity and a few profanities are spoken, RUBY IN PARADISE has nudity and graphic intercourse scenes, including one attempted date rape incident. Crude references to sex and topless dancers add to the unpleasant theme of emptiness and immorality portrayed as "art."

Preview Reviewer: Krista Kay Bontrager
Distributor: October Films, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, NY, NY 10111