Watch Rebuilding Paradise

Rebuilding Paradise is a moving documentary that captures the aftermath of a horrific wildfire that ravaged Paradise, California, in November 2018. Directed by Academy Award winner Ron Howard, the film follows the community of Paradise as they attempt to rebuild their lives and their town from the ashes. The movie opens with harrowing footage of the fire and the frantic evacuation of Paradise residents as the flames bear down on their town. It's a heart-wrenching scene that sets the tone for the rest of the film. From there, we see the devastation wrought by the fire first-hand. Burned-out cars litter the streets, homes and businesses are reduced to rubble, and the once-beautiful town is now a barren wasteland.

But amidst the rubble, we begin to see the resilience and the determination of the Paradise community. The film focuses on a handful of residents as they attempt to rebuild their homes, their lives, and their town. We meet Michelle John, a high school senior who lost everything in the fire, including her home, her belongings, and her hopes for the future. But despite the incredible trauma she's experienced, Michelle remains upbeat and positive, determined to move forward and rebuild her life.

We also meet Matt Gates, a local businessman who lost his home and his livelihood in the fire. Matt is a stoic figure, deeply affected by the loss but determined to rebuild his business and help the community in any way he can. And then there's Brad Weldon, a former police officer who becomes the mayor of Paradise in the fire's wake. Brad is a steady presence throughout the film, working tirelessly to coordinate the community's rebuilding efforts and provide much-needed support and resources for his fellow residents.

Perhaps the most notable figure in the film, however, is Erin Brockovich-Ellis, the famed environmental activist who rose to prominence in the 1990s thanks to a high-profile lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Erin is a natural fit for this film, given her history of advocating for communities affected by environmental disasters. In Rebuilding Paradise, she lends her voice and her expertise to the Paradise community, providing guidance and support as they navigate the complex web of insurance claims, building codes, and logistical challenges that come with rebuilding a town from scratch.

Throughout the film, we see the ups and downs of the rebuilding process. We see the frustration and exhaustion of residents as they struggle to navigate the bureaucracy and red tape of the rebuilding process. We see the pain of those who lost loved ones in the fire, and the trauma that lingers long after the flames have been extinguished. And we see the hope and resilience that keeps the community going, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Ron Howard's direction is masterful throughout the film. He manages to capture both the epic scale of the disaster and the intimate, personal stories of the Paradise residents. The film is full of stunning cinematography of the charred landscape and the slowly rebuilding community. And perhaps most importantly, Howard knows when to step back and let his subjects speak for themselves. The Paradise residents are the true heart of this film, and their experiences and emotions are what makes Rebuilding Paradise such a powerful and moving documentary.

Overall, Rebuilding Paradise is an emotional and inspiring look at one community's efforts to pick up the pieces after a devastating disaster. It's a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, and a testament to the power of community in times of crisis. This is a must-see film for anyone who has ever faced adversity and come out the other side stronger for it.

Rebuilding Paradise is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 70.