Ticket to Paradise (2022 film)

Ticket to Paradise

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2022
Founder	Ol Parker, Daniel Pipski (writers)
Products	Romantic comedy film
Parent	Universal Pictures, Working Title Films, Smokehouse Pictures, Red Om Films

Ticket to Paradise is a 2022 romantic comedy featuring George Clooney and Julia Roberts portraying a divorced pair who come together to disrupt their daughter's wedding set in Bali. Directed by Ol Parker and penned by Parker alongside Daniel Pipski, the cast also includes Kaitlyn Dever, Billie Lourd, Maxime Bouttier, and Lucas Bravo.

The movie debuted in Spain on September 8, 2022, with subsequent releases in the United Kingdom on September 20 and the United States on October 21. Distributed by Universal Pictures and produced by Working Title Films, it achieved a global box office total of $168 million despite receiving mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

David and Georgia Cotton, who have been divorced for two decades, discover that their daughter Lily intends to wed Gede, a Balinese seaweed farmer, shortly after finishing college. Worried that Lily might be hastily entering marriage and giving up her legal profession, they travel to Bali to intervene. Their pilot is Georgia's boyfriend Paul, who is scheduled for another flight soon.

Although they outwardly endorse the wedding, David and Georgia secretly plan to undermine it by stealing the wedding rings. Gede becomes suspicious but chooses not to confront them. Throughout their plot, David and Georgia begin to mend their relationship and develop a bond with Gede’s family.

Paul humorously attempts several marriage proposals to Georgia, each ending in failure. When Lily uncovers the theft of the rings, she insists her parents either accept her marriage or depart. Gede reveals that he had suspected their intentions all along. After spending a night together in the forest, David and Georgia share a brief romantic encounter before deciding to support Lily’s decision.

The wedding proceeds incorporating Balinese traditions. At the ceremony’s peak, Gede requests David and Georgia’s genuine blessing. David grants it, recognizing that although their own marriage failed, they find happiness through Lily’s presence in their lives. The couple then completes the nuptials.

The following day, Georgia ends her relationship with Paul. David, Georgia, and Wren bid heartfelt farewells to Lily before leaving Bali. However, David and Georgia spontaneously choose to remain in Bali to stay close to Lily and Gede.

Cast

• George Clooney as David Cotton
• Julia Roberts as Georgia Cotton
• Kaitlyn Dever as Lily Cotton
• Maxime Bouttier as Gede May
• Billie Lourd as Wren Butler
• Lucas Bravo as Paul
• Agung Pindha as Wayan May
• Ifa Barry as Suli May
• Cintya Dharmayanti as Losi May

Development and casting

Ticket to Paradise represents a collaborative production involving Working Title Films, Smokehouse Pictures, and Red Om Films. The screenplay was authored by Ol Parker alongside Daniel Pipski, with Parker directing. Universal Pictures announced the project on February 26, 2021. This film reunites leads George Clooney and Julia Roberts, who previously worked together on Ocean's Eleven, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Ocean's Twelve, and Money Monster. Despite ongoing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal maintained theatrical distribution rights rather than opting for streaming platform release.

Casting additions included Billie Lourd in March; Kaitlyn Dever in April; followed by Lucas Bravo in October. To physically prepare for his role, Clooney adopted a Keto-based regimen. Furthermore, uncredited script revisions were contributed by both Richard Curtis and Theodore Melfi.

Filming

The main photography for the film took place in Queensland, Australia, spanning from November 2021 through February 2022, with Ole Bratt Birkeland serving as the director of photography. The Australian federal government provided a grant of AU$6.4 million (approximately US$4.92 million), which, according to Minister Paul Fletcher, helped create at least 270 jobs and contributed around AU$47 million (US$36.2 million) to the regional economy. Significant shooting sites encompassed the Whitsunday Islands, the HOTA gallery located on the Gold Coast, Brisbane Airport, sugarcane plantations near Norwell, Tamborine National Park, Queen's Wharf, Brisbane, Hamilton Island Airport, the markets in Carrara, Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island, and Palm Bay Resort on Long Island. The sequence featuring Georgia and David’s arrival was captured at Kate's Cove Beach on Haslewood Island. Filming was briefly halted in January 2022 due to a rise in COVID-19 cases but resumed and wrapped up on 18 February 2022.

Music

The film’s musical score was composed by Lorne Balfe during the post-production phase. The soundtrack was officially released by Back Lot Music on September 23, 2022.

Release

Universal Pictures handled the theatrical release of the film in Australia on September 15, 2022. This was followed by a United Kingdom release on September 20 and a United States debut on October 21, 2022. The UK premiere was postponed from its original September 16 date due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. In the United States, the movie became available for streaming on Peacock 45 days after its theatrical launch.

Home media

The film became accessible on VOD services starting November 8, 2022, with subsequent releases on Blu-ray and DVD occurring on December 13, 2022.

Box office

Ticket to Paradise earned $68.3 million across the United States and Canada and an additional $100.3 million internationally, culminating in a global total of $168.6 million against a production budget of $60 million, establishing it as a financial success.

During its opening weekend in North America, it competed with Black Adam and was forecasted to generate between $12 and $15 million from approximately 3,500 theaters. The film surpassed expectations by earning $16.5 million and secured second place behind Black Adam. It attracted a stronger demographic of older female viewers compared to its male-oriented rival. The movie maintained a position within the Top 10 box office rankings for seven weeks consecutively.

Prior to its US release, Ticket to Paradise premiered in seven international markets, earning $800,000 in Spain and $700,000 in Brazil during their respective opening weekends from September 9 to 11.

Critical response

Reviews for Ticket to Paradise were mixed, reflected by a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 47. Despite this, audience feedback collected via CinemaScore indicated an "A-" grade, demonstrating favorable viewer reception.

Accolades

At the 2022 People's Choice Awards, the film received a nomination for Comedy Movie of the Year, while Julia Roberts was recognized with a nomination for Comedy Movie Star of the Year.