SHORTCUT TO PARADISE is a mildly intriguing psycho-thriller of the mid 1990s, low budget but interesting in that it's a Spanish production shot in English and filmed in Puerto Rico, of all places. It's mainly worth watching thanks to the presence of Charles Dance in the lead role; he plays a mysterious outsider who worms his way into the lives of various characters living in an apartment complex, and of course he has some pretty dark secrets lurking in his psyche. Dance is one of my favourite actors and seeing him playing something very different from his usual aristocrat is a lot of fun; he's pretty much a redneck here and yet he's thoroughly convincing in the part. The film has a modicom of suspense and sinister moments, getting by thanks to the creepy atmosphere and Dance's winning performance rather than any real originality or focus.
Review of Shortcut to Paradise
