Kumari Shreya
Directed by Ol Parker, ‘Ticket to Paradise’ is a romantic comedy movie that follows David and Georgia Cotton. Having divorced on bitter terms, the two are less than thrilled to come across each other while traveling to attend the wedding of their daughter, Lily. Despite despising one another, David and Georgia team up to sabotage their daughter’s wedding to sway her away from a path that the two believe will lead to nothing but unhappiness.
Starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, the film tells a hilarious story of how love can blossom even when trying to disrupt the romantic life of a third party. In addition, the relatable characters and realistic depiction of family dynamics in the movie have made many viewers wonder how the movie’s story came to be. Is it based on true incidents, or are the events in the film purely a result of imagination? Luckily, we are here to explore the same!
Ticket to Paradise is a Fictional Tale
No, ‘Ticket to Paradise’ is not based on a true story. The movie’s script was written by Ol Parker and Daniel Pipski, with the former also serving as the director. While working on the project, the writer duo had a specific vision, which included their choice of lead actors. Most of what Parker and Pipski envisioned seemingly translated well to the big screen, and they could not be happier about the same!
According to Parker, the movie’s story was meant to make the audience feel like they were watching a sequel. The established backstory of the leading characters aims to serve the same purpose as the viewers are thrust into the aftermath of what was indeed a spectacular showdown between the protagonist couple. The filmmakers wanted two such actors that the public would instantly think of as a pair. Together, Roberts and Clooney were the candidates to essay the leading roles, at least according to the filmmakers.
The actors have appeared together in films like ‘Ocean’s Eleven‘ and ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,’ and their chemistry is quite fascinating to watch. Interestingly, Parker and Pipski wrote the script keeping Roberts and Clooney in mind. The initial names of the leading characters were Julius and Georgia Cotton, as the writers flipped the first names of the two stars. Hence, Georgia Cotton ended up being the final name for the female protagonist.
Furthermore, when the script was sent to Roberts and Clooney, the filmmakers broke a significant unwritten rule. Usually, when a script is forwarded, the names of other potential performers who might be a part of the project are not mentioned. However, Parker and his team told both actors that the story was meant for them. This seemed to have worked out in the end, as both icons agreed to be a part of the movie and were happy to play the assigned characters.
Another crucial point for the filmmakers was accurately representing the culture and visuals of the area where the story is set. Most of the movie takes place in Bali, Indonesia, and the aim was not to make the natives unhappy with the depiction of the same. The production team included many locals and often consulted with cultural experts to avoid misrepresenting the region’s culture.
‘Ticket to Paradise’ is certainly not a true story but a fictional tale with its share of relatable moments. The movie was crafted by keeping certain actors and elements in mind and aims to deliver the best it can on the same. The dynamics between several characters in the film provide a sense of realism, and viewers can often see a reflection of the antics of their own families in the depicted story.
Read More: Where Was Ticket to Paradise Filmed? All Filming Locations
