Watch Beyond Paradise

Beyond Paradise is a 2015 romance drama that follows the journey of a young woman named Shahrzad who is torn between two worlds - her Persian heritage and her life in America. The movie stars Francia Raisa as Shahrzad, Daphne Zuniga as her mother, and Ryan Guzman as her love interest. The film begins with Shahrzad feeling disconnected from her Persian roots and unsure of her place in the world. She is a talented musician, but her mother disapproves of her dreams of pursuing a career in the arts. Tensions between the two come to a head when Shahrzad meets the charming and equally talented Tar, played by Ryan Guzman.

Tar encourages Shahrzad to embrace her passion for music, and the two quickly fall in love. However, their relationship is not without its challenges. Tar comes from a wealthy family and leads a seemingly perfect life, which Shahrzad finds difficult to relate to. In addition, Tar's mother is skeptical of Shahrzad's intentions and tries to sabotage their relationship at every turn.

As Shahrzad and Tar navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, Shahrzad begins to reconnect with her Persian heritage. She learns traditional dances, gets closer to her family, and starts to feel a sense of belonging that she has been missing. However, her newfound sense of identity causes friction with Tar, who is struggling to understand and accept this side of her.

Beyond Paradise is a beautiful exploration of culture, identity, and love. The movie is visually stunning, with breathtaking shots of the Persian landscape and lively dance sequences that perfectly capture the spirit of Persian culture. The performances by the three leads are also outstanding, with Francia Raisa delivering a nuanced and heartfelt portrayal of Shahrzad's struggles.

The movie never feels preachy or didactic, instead opting to show rather than tell. The cultural differences between Shahrzad and Tar are explored organically through their interactions and conflicts, making for a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of cross-cultural relationships. The film also doesn't shy away from darker themes, such as class tensions and the pressures of familial expectations.

One of the strengths of Beyond Paradise is its message of hope and the power of community. Shahrzad's journey towards self-discovery is not a solitary one - she is surrounded by a loving and supportive family and a vibrant community that helps her embrace her heritage. This is especially poignant in the wake of recent anti-immigrant sentiment and the ongoing struggle for immigrant rights.

In conclusion, Beyond Paradise is a stunning and moving film that explores important themes of culture and identity. The movie is anchored by excellent performances by its lead cast and features stunning visuals and music that transport the viewer to a different world. It is a must-watch for fans of romance and drama alike.

Beyond Paradise is a 2016 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.