Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 04/01/2005
Sound: DD2/DD5.1
Run Time: 88 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Sexual Situations
Distributor/Studio: Showtime Entertainment
Gilda (
Susan May Pratt of
Center Stage) is a confused young woman, obsessed with iconoclastic actor
Michael De Santis (
Chris Noth). She repeatedly watches a tape of
De Santis being interviewed by an unctuous,
James Lipton-type talk show host (played by legendary indie producer's rep
John Pierson). After the death of
Gilda's beloved Italian papa (
Michele Placido), she learns, much to her dismay, that he had a longtime mistress back in Italy. Using the excuse of her grandfather's (
Josef Sommer) upcoming birthday,
Gilda travels to New York City, planning to find a way to get close to
De Santis. Video camera in hand,
Gilda explores the city and runs into
Adam (
Jeremy Davies), a geology student. Sparks fly until
Gilda's newfound cynicism turns
Adam off. She decides to pose as a reporter for an Italian newspaper, and arranges to interview
De Santis. She takes a bus down to Virginia and goes to the set. Everything goes according to plan, but
De Santis quickly sees through her ruse. Intrigued by his pretty, spirited young fan,
De Santis invites
Gilda back to his hotel room, where neither of them finds what they expected.
Searching for Paradise, written and directed by
Myra Paci, was developed at the Sundance Institute. The film was a minor hit on the festival circuit and was eventually picked up for home video distribution under the
Sundance imprint.
~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide