Paraiso Travel

I was reading Stephen King’s column in Entertainment Weekly the other day about a small horror flick called Carriers that “got no love from the multiplex.” In fact, it wasn’t even picked up for major distribution and only showed at a few, random venues. He went on to say that there “ought to be a place in American theaters for good little movies like this.” I couldn’t agree with him more. There isn’t much we can do but put the DVDs of those movies in our Netflix queues.

Which brings me to a small movie that was a huge hit in its native Colombia and was praised on the international film festival circuit last year. Paraiso Travel, out today on DVD and adapted from Jorge Franco’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, is the story of two lovers Marlon (Aldemar Correa) and Reina (Angelica Blandon), who make the journey from Medellin to NYC, where they set up at a seedy hostel in Queens. Through flashbacks, we learn the harrowing details of their trip (rape by gangs, extortion) and gain insight into their twisted relationship. Accidentally separated from Reina, Marlon is taken in by the wife of a Colombian restaurant owner, who then gives him a job, he starts living with a shady photographer (played by John Leguizamo, who also co-produced the movie) and falls for an aspiring singer. Along the way, he meets a stripper, a shoplifter, a priest, and other memorable characters, each with their own tale of sacrifice.

Don’t expect a happy ending here, for any of the characters. Spoiler alert: Even when Marlon is finally reunited with Reina, you’ll want to cry. But do expect to ponder the question: Is it really worth leaving everything you know and love for the U.S.?